Venture wins approval for 263-unit apartment complex in Midtown San Jose

Local developers to build 12-story tower in final phase of three housing developments on former VTA storage yard

Republic Urban Properties's Michael Van Every, Swenson's Case Swenson and render of mixed-use project at 860 W. San Carlos Street (LinkedIn, Swenson, Republic Urban Properties)
Republic Urban Properties's Michael Van Every, Swenson's Case Swenson and render of mixed-use project at 860 W. San Carlos Street (LinkedIn, Swenson, Republic Urban Properties)

A joint venture has won approval to build a 263-unit apartment complex in Midtown San Jose, not far from a proposed Google transit village.

Swenson and Republic Urban Properties, two developers based in the city, have received entitlements to construct the 12-story residential tower at 860 W. San Carlos St., the San Jose Mercury News reported.

The proposed development requires a construction loan, developers say. The goal is to start construction next year.

The mixed-use project marks the third of three housing projects jointly developed at a former Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority bus maintenance and storage yard near West San Carlos and Sunol streets, beginning in 2006.

The VTA sold the land for each phase of the development to the real estate venture. The final installment could rise a few blocks from the Downtown West neighborhood Google intends to build around the Diridon Light Rail Station.

“We were able to work with VTA to maximize the potential of this site and convert a portion of it from bare, underutilized land to much-needed housing close to transit,” Case Swenson, president of Swenson, told the newspaper.

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The final phase was to include a 14-story highrise, which was redesigned at a lower height.

The 12-story tower will include 38 studio units, 19 junior one-bedroom units, 146 regular one-bedroom units and 60 two-bedroom units, according to the Swenson firm. The third tower will also include up to 13,000 square feet of ground-floor shops and restaurants.

A rendering depicts a rectangular tower broken up by various balconies, in white with caramel colored accents, with an adjacent two-story retail complex.

If the three residential projects draw tenants and foot traffic, they could help create a more lively corridor along West San Carlos Street, between downtown San Jose and two mega malls to the west, Westfield Valley Fair and Santana Row.

“This will help to revitalize this area,” said Michael Van Every, president and managing partner with Republic Urban Properties. “This third phase of the development is the final major piece that fulfills the vision for the Midtown area.”

[San Jose Mercury News] – Dana Bartholomew

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