Data Center Vs. Entertainment District in North San Jose?

Terra Ventures has doubled down on its plans to build a data center in north San Jose.

An affiliate of the Milpitas-based developer has revised its plans to boost the size of a data center and energy plant proposed for Topgolf Drive and North First Street in the Alviso district, the San Jose Mercury News reported.

New plans call for a 462,500-square-project on 9 acres bounded by North First Street, Anderson Alley, Top Golf Drive and Liberty Street. It includes a three-story, 295,100-square-foot data center and a 167,400-square-foot energy supply hub.

Its previous plans, filed in August 2023, had called for a 346,900-square-foot project, a third smaller than its latest proposal. It comprised a 172,500-square-foot data center and a 174,400-square-foot power plant, with a 15,000-square-foot retail center.

The windowless data center and power station have wavy white slats above a pattern of green or gray rolling hills, according to a rendering.

In 2018, Terra Ventures floated the idea for a vast entertainment district consisting of restaurants, shops, two hotels and a Topgolf complex, which was ultimately built.

One of the undeveloped hotel sites at 7 Topgolf landed in foreclosure and was seized by its lender, whose affiliate now owns the property.

A year ago, Los Angeles-based LH Housing filed plans to build a 780-unit affordable apartment complex on the 3.2-acre 7 Topgolf site, according to the Mercury News. The project is similar to one pitched by L.A.-based Genesis Commercial Capital in late 2023.

Terra Ventures, founded in 2015, has been led by Jagjeet Kapoor, according to state business records and his LinkedIn page. The Indian-born entrepreneur has owned convenience stores, hotels and restaurants across the Bay Area.

— Dana Bartholomew