SAN JOSE — Work is underway to revamp a historic constructing inside the footprint of Google’s proposed transit-oriented village in downtown San Jose, an early signal the game-changing challenge is pushing forward briskly.
The constructing is slated to be a part of one of many gateways to Google’s mixed-use neighborhood, which is anticipated to sprout close to the Diridon practice station and SAP Heart on the western edges of the downtown.
The revamp is underway on the historic San Jose Water Co. constructing at 374 W. Santa Clara St. in San Jose.
An annex to the constructing that was on web site earlier this 12 months is now not current.
In current days, work was being carried out inside, on the partitions and on the roof of the one-time water firm headquarters constructing, which is perched on the banks of the Guadalupe River.
Constructing supplies, building tools and multi-level scaffolding that additionally allowed entry to the rooftop had been all seen in current days, this information group’s direct remark of the location confirmed.
In current weeks, work was seen on the rooftop, which consists primarily of tiles.
“It’s nice to see Google engaged on this constructing, preserving and bettering it,” mentioned Bob Staedler, principal government with Silicon Valley Synergy, a land-use consultancy.
The revamp on the San Jose Water Co. constructing contains a number of parts, in response to paperwork on file with metropolis planners.
“Occasion areas and workplace areas” are slated to be added to the constructing, town paperwork present.
The enhancements within the constructing additionally embody a seismic improve and the set up of an elevator, town plans present.
“An adaptive reuse of the water firm constructing is a good thought,” Staedler mentioned.
Mountain View-based Google is working with Australia-based Lendlease to co-develop the Downtown West neighborhood, which might deliver a couple of dramatic transformation of this sleepy part of San Jose.
Lendlease is growing the brand new district on behalf of Google, which can deliver workplace buildings, houses, retailers, eating places, leisure hubs and cultural loops to downtown San Jose. A whole lot of inexpensive houses might be a part of the brand new neighborhood.
Google might make use of as much as 25,000 tech staff within the new transit village.
The renovation work within the water firm constructing is an encouraging signal that implies Google is pushing forward steadily with its large improvement efforts inside the Downtown West footprint, in Staedler’s view.
“Google is buzzing proper together with Downtown West,” Staedler mentioned.