Posted by Hunter Current on Fri, Oct 07, 2011 @ 07:11 PM
Can San Jose support design?Until now this blog has been a sounding board for real estate in San Jose, spotlighting new projects, sustainable initiatives, leasing deals and construction techniques. I am sure you are aware of our Green Spotlight Much of which has had strong feedback from you, the reader (thank you!). However, there has been something missing. Something that is vital to the real estate industry in San Jose - design. Both literally and figuratively, design is an area I hope to focus on for our Design Spotlight section of the Bay Area Real Estate Blog.Design Spotlight posts should be a dialogue and not an informative series of journalism, because lets face it, this is a blog and my background is in architecture, not writing. We would like to welcome readers to take advantage of the comments section to voice your opinions about topics design related; past, present and future. All three of which I will touch on today.This is hard to put into words but I believe San Jose’s design community is untapped, yet ready for a revolution.
AK Live/Work- Venice, CA -
Sant ArchitectsSan Jose has long been a suburban city, but large enough to support the urban citizens in its core. The urban dwellers tend to lean toward a design oriented community, but San Jose has no center of design. Where do I go to get that mid century piece of furniture to accent my new downtown condo? Palo Alto? Artisan bread for a dinner party? Los Gatos? Hand made crafts by local vendors for a unique gift? Probably have to travel to San Francisco to pick something up. Of course I am exaggerating, I know some of these places exist in San Jose, however most metropolis cities have communities to support the arts and I can not seem to put my finger on where that is specifically in San Jose. Why is that? Why no “arts district”, or where did it go?
Ode to Roses - Portland, OR -
TENPODThere are very few true lofts in San Jose, not enough art studios, and not enough support for new creative communities. A city rich in history can blossom into the future by supporting such a community which lends itself to innovation, but I’m not sure of the factors keeping it from happening.
I know the community is out there, but can San Jose support design? Can an architecturally
significant development which is centered around the design community be successful in San Jose? Are these people leaving for San Francisco and Los Angeles? Again, your thoughts and opinions are welcome, as always.
ADAM MAYBERRY, Assoc. AIA