Tall & Urban News

San Jose Approves High-Rise To Replace Historic Restaurant

02 December 2022 | San Jose, United States
(c) Renderings by Tandem Studios courtesy of Westbank
(c) Renderings by Tandem Studios courtesy of Westbank

A high-rise tower, offering hundreds of residences, is slated to rise in downtown San Jose on a less than one-acre (0.4-hectare) plot, following approval from city leaders.

The San Jose City Council unanimously approved plans in late November 2022 from Canadian developer Westbank for a 30-story luxury tower, including 540 residences at 409 and 425 S Second St., at the corner of San Salvador Street. The plan is a bit bigger than an earlier proposal from Westbank.

The tower will also include nearly 7,500 square feet (686 square meters) of co-working space, and about 7,400 square feet (687 square meters) of ground floor commercial space, on a 0.75-acre lot. It will feature sustainable, modern designs and greenery throughout the building, according to the development team, which won it praise from the council.

The project will mean demolition for the beloved Bo Town Restaurant building, which is historically notable for its Jetsons-era “Googie” style architecture. The developer will pay tribute to the restaurant in the new project amid concerns about losing another historic San Jose building. The restaurant’s original sign will be featured outside of the new development.

The restaurant closed in 2019 after roughly 30 years in business. The building most recently was occupied by the San Jose location of LvL Up Arcade, which is now closed.

For more on this story, go to Patch.com.