The long awaited opening of Flames Eatery & Bar in downtown San Jose is finally here. Located at the street level of the parking garage on the corner of San Fernando and Fourth Street, Flames is adjacent to City Hall and across from the Martin Luther King Library. Flames had been under construction for quite some time but the final product looks fantastic. There is a great kitchen counter/bar area and a large showcase of their fine desserts and treats. Another great new restaurant in downtown San Jose.

Flames Eatery & Bar
88 S. 4th Street
Downtown San Jose
(408) 971-1960

Each year the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal publishes its Structures Awards supplement which honors the top Silicon Valley real estate projects. This year, two downtown San Jose residential high-rise projects received awards and recognition in various categories. The 88 was awarded the 2008 “Architecture/Design Project of the Year.” The 22-story, 197-unit condo tower won such acclaim for among other things, its public art feature, resort-style common areas, and penthouse-level common area observation terrace. The public art contribution at The 88 includes a series of 48-feet LED lights covered in mesh panels along the side of the building on the corner of San Fernando and Second Street. In addition to being awarded the Architecture/Design Project of the Year, The 88 was also named runner up for the Community Impact Award and for Mixed Use Project of the Year.

Three Sixty Residences (360 Residences) was also recognized this year by the Structures Awards. Downtown San Jose’s next high rise residential tower, which is set to complete construction and open in Spring 2009, was runner up for the Architecture/Design Project of the Year. Three Sixty Residences (360 Residences) is a 23-story, 213-unit building which sits on an irregular shaped parcel. This created obstacles and opportunities for the design and architecture of the building.

If you are looking for a little advertising space, look no further than downtown San Jose. But you need to look up. Way up. The infamous Knight Ridder sign atop what is known as the Knight Ridder Building, located at 50 W. San Fernando Street, is available for lease. How much you ask? Try a meager $2 million upfront with an additional monthly fee of $25,000. And let’s not forget about the $250,000 it will cost you to install the signage. The current Knight Ridder sign, which features 7-foot letters and has a total weight of approximately 54,000 pounds, is one of the most visible signs in the entire South Bay. You can see the sign from all of the freeways that go around downtown San Jose and also from airplanes flying in and out of San Jose Mineta Airport.

Knight Ridder is no longer in business having been sold to the McClatchy Company in 2006 and also no longer a tenant in the building. Now the owners of the Knight Ridder Building are looking for a company to hang its sign there.

Three Sixty Residences (360 Residences) is featured in a recent episode of the Best of the Bay television show. Downtown San Jose’s next high rise residential complex, Three Sixty Residences (360 Residences) is still currently under construction but recently “topped out” at the end of September. The luxury condo complex is scheduled to be completed in March 2009. The Mesa Development project features a number of luxury amenities throughout all of its residences including Bosch stainless steel kitchen appliances, Italian Del Tongo kitchen cabinetry, and Grohe chrome bathroom fixtures.

Three Sixty Residences (360 Residences) will join other recent high rise developments in downtown San Jose including City Heights, Axis, and The 88.

The clothing retail store Ross is in negotiations to bring a store to downtown San Jose. Known for its “Dress for Less” slogan, Ross Stores, Inc. is said to be finalizing a lease to take over a space currently occupied by the Black Sea Gallery furniture store on First Street. The former Woolworth’s building is also owned by Black Sea Gallery.

Let’s hope that this deal comes together and Ross opens a store in downtown. Bringing in a big retailer such as Ross would provide a place for downtown residents to shop without having to get in their car to drive to Valley Fair or other shopping center locations. It would also attract other people to come to downtown to shop thereby increasing foot traffic and vitality of downtown. Moreover, hopefully this will attract other large retailers to downtown San Jose.

The San Jose Downtown Residents Association (SJDRA) is hosting its Fall Quarterly meeting this Thursday evening, Ocotober 23, 7:00 pm, at the Paseo Plaza Lounge. The meeting will have an election year theme. Guest speakers at the SJDRA meeting will feature candidates running for Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, District 2, George Shirakawa and Richard Hobbs. In addition, representatives will speak about the City of San Jose’s Measure J (911 System Access Fee) and Measure K (Telecommunications Users Tax).

For additional information about the SJDRA Fall Quarterly Meeting or for membership info, visit www.sjpeople.org, email sjdra@yahoo.com, or call (408) 794-0153.

And don’t forget, today (Ocotber 20) is the postmark deadline for voter registration. Don’t forget to register to vote!

San Jose Downtown Residents Association (SJDRA)
Fall Quarterly Meeting
Thursday, October 23, 2008
7:00 pm
Paseo Plaza Lounge
144 S. 3rd Street, Downtown San Jose

Amidst all the doom and gloom of the economy, let’s take a look at how the condo market is doing in downtown San Jose. While the median sales price has dropped off dramatically (particularly in June and July compared to last year), the number of closed transactions has remained fairly steady. In fact, August and September 2008 produced more transactions in 2008 (27 and 22, respectively) than August and September 2007 (23 and 12). The following statistics represent resales of Central San Jose’s (MLS Area 9 which includes downtown San Jose) condos, townhomes, and lofts. As noted in past statistical postings, these numbers do not include sales from new construction developments which generally are not included in MLS data.

As you can see, both the number of closed transactions and median sales price dipped during June and July but rebounded in August and September. A little glimmer of hope . . .

*These statistics are generated using information from the MLSListings, Inc. (formerly RE InfoLink) MLS, but have not been verified and are not guaranteed. MLSListings, Inc. disclaims any resposibility for the accuracy and reliability of these statistics. This information should not be relied upon for real estate transaction decisions.

A fantastic new restaurant has just opened its doors in downtown San Jose. Billy Berk’s is a hip, trendy restaurant with an upscale feel. The theme at Billy Berk’s is “Where sharing is in good taste” and once you get a hold of the menu you will want to share the wonderful variety of food featured on Billy Berk’s menu. Variety is definitely showcased on the menu where you can choose from a number of flavorful items from all over the world, including a mojito skirt steak, spicy Louisiana prawns, flat breads, and wraps. When you first walk into Billy Berk’s, you will notice the large center island bar complete with plasma tv’s and exotic-named cocktails (ask for the “X Rated Martini” on the menu, need I say more?) The interior design of the restaurant is accentuated on one wall with classic record album covers that will bring back memories for those of us who remember the days before MP3’s and iPods. The adjacent wall has colorful drawings painted on the red brick wall. The restaurant has a cool, fun vibe with a professional atmosphere. Billy Berk’s is a fantastic new addition to downtown and should be a great place to grab lunch, happy hour, or dinner.

Billy Berk’s
99 S. First Street (First Street and San Fernando)
Downtown San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 292-4300

Downtown San Jose once again will become shark infested with the beginning of a new NHL hockey sesason. The San Jose Sharks kick off another season here in San Jose tonight against rivals from southern California, the Anaheim Ducks. To help kickstart the new sesason, the Sharks will be hosting an Opening Night Street Fair from 5:00pm to 7:00pm on Autumn Street next to the HP Pavilion. A new season, a new coach (Todd McLellan), and new players (including Rob Blake and Dan Boyle) bring new hopes that the Sharks will bring home the Stanley Cup.

Let’s go Sharks!

San Jose Sharks
2008-2009 Schedule
For ticket information, click here.

To celebrate the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, a viewing party will be held this Friday night, August 8, at St. James Park in downtown San Jose. The festivities will kickoff starting at 5:00pm and will include a broadcast of the opening ceremonies on a big screen courtesy of NBC11. The opening ceremonies broadcast begins at 8:08 pm. Events at St. James Park will include special appearances by local Bay Area Olympians, an Olympic trivia contest, live music, and lots of other fun activities for the whole family. The viewing party at St. James Park is anticipated to be the largest viewing event in the Bay Area.

The Olympics viewing party is sponsored by San Jose Park & Recreation, San Jose Sports Authority, Bay Area Sports Organizing Committee, and NBC11.

Olympics Viewing Party
Friday, August 8, 2008
5:00 pm - 10:30 pm
St. James Park
Downtown San Jose