Santa Clara County is moving forward with plans to bring more affordable housing to the central area of San Jose, with plans to develop a parcel at 1135 East Santa Clara Street. The county recently purchased the underutilized commercial property, with plans for its demolition and the new construction of 91 new units of affordable housing. Officials are partnering with Abode Housing for the development and administration of the site.
The project has been entitled Algarve Apartments. A proposed breakdown of its units describes 24 of the units being set aside for military veterans, and 36 of the units being set aside as permanent supportive housing. The project’s scale and composition have allowed developers to seek expedited approvals under California Senate Bill 35.
Lowney Architecture has worked up preliminary designs for the site. Early illustrations show that they are exploring the possibility of seven stories of modular construction above a single-story podium base. The exterior façade is depicted in grey, white, and blue colors, helping to soften the building’s blocky profile against the sky.
The site’s location is along the major thoroughfare of Santa Clara Street, with easy walking options to neighborhood small businesses and the local Roosevelt Park. A longer walk or short transit ride will bring residents into Downtown San Jose.
1135 East Santa Clara Street Site Location, image via ArcGIS Online
1135 East Santa Clara Street, Previous Structure, image via Google Street View
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I have been working with too many firms now that I gotta keep my mouth shut.
91 Units, yeah!
A truly cheap, ugly contribution to the neighborhood! Come on, I am sure you can do much better with just a little imagination.
Lowney Architecture: You’ve been presented with a tabula rasa. Create a vibrant, colorful exterior that reflects the vivid colors of Mexico and Central America and reflects the community’s history and heritage. Hire local artists to create beautiful murals.
The giant lunch pail pictured here says nothing about San José and its people.
The city is making a similar error in renderings for a housing complex in the Little Portugal/ Five Wounds neighborhood: bland featureless designs that will mean another missed opportunity for San José.
WTF??
Buuuuuutttttt……”we’re not in Mexico or Central America?!?”
Fair but the apartment building is in the Little Portugal area of San Jose
Wow?!?!?