The St. James Historic District
...the heart of California's oldest city
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SJ Downtown Dewllers
Neighborhood Services
Downtown San Jose, CA 95112
ph: 408 518-1991
fpenrose
Urban life in an historic setting
Living in the Saint James neighborhood
Businesses & Entertainment | St. James Square | St. James Park
A view from the 350 North 2nd lofts looking south
High Density begins here!
Minutes from the vibrancy of the downtown core, a few blocks north of Santa Clara Street, you are greeted by history -St. James Square and Park. A few blocks further, you find yourself embraced by one of downtown's first high density neighborhoods including not only Victorian homes, but the city's first known apartment building - surely unbeknown to our forefathers, "a sign" of what living in St. James would soon represent.
San Jose's first apartment building - Moody Flats (1903)
The St. James Historic District as it is known, encomapsses some of San Jose's most acclaimed historic landmarks- St. James Park & Square. In the early 90's , Saint James Place, was established as one of San Jose's first "high rise style" (5 stories) condominium complex. Located right on St. James Square (3rd and St. James street), this project was considerd downtown's 1st attempt at high density housing.
Saint James Place at 3rd and St. James
Later in the decade, the Villa Torrino Luxury Apartments was built 3 blocks north east on the outer permiter of what was a blighted industrial area on East Julian , at the foot of the Market/Coleman street overpass.
The Villa Torrino luxury apartments on Julian
Architecturally befitting of the design awards that each community won, this was the start of high density infill that, based on transportation conveniences, would represent a commuters community ;transit corridor for VTA & light rail. Freeways egresses for HWY 85,87 , 280 & 880; major expressway thoroughfare ofr Coleman & Market taking you into downtown San Jose to the south or Mineta International and HWY101 10 minutes to the north.
The Plaza Condominiums by Barry Swenson, at 30 East Julian.
The first major luxury style condominium project in the Saint James Historic District was launched by Barry Swenson in the late 1990’s when he built The Plaza on the SE corner of 1st and East Julian.
Park Townsend - steel framed urban luxury.
A live & work condo community, Park Townsend located on West Julian Street, directly across from the Villa Torino Apartments were constructed by Goldrich and Kest (noted for their earlier downtown projects; the Colonnade and Paseo Plaza/Commons). Noted as being downtown's first steel framed high density structure, it houses 98 condominiums, all of which 11 are live-work.
350 North 2nd Lofts at Christmas - designed by Ralph Butterfield of Wurster, Bernardi & Emmons.
WBE is a recipient "The Architecture Firm Award - the highest honor that The American Institute of Architects can bestow on an architecture firm for consistently producing distinguished architecture. Other recipients - Frank Lloyd Wright.
Classics at Keystone
Number 1 East Julian
Built by Regis Homes of Northern California. This complex features San Jose's first dual raised parking space. 1 East Julian has completed the four corners of high density residential housing at the intersection of North First and East Julian Street .
The District Characteristics
At Christmas time, these two Victorian gems are covered in lights. A festive beauty to behold!
St. James (Park and Square) Historic District(Location)-
Between St. John St.James (North and South) and 1st and 3rd Street (East West).It is composed of St. James Park and nine Classical style structures that surround the Park known as St. James Square.
The Neighborhood-
Located in District 3 anchored by St. James Park Square to the south, the Julian/Bassett neighborhood, aka The St. James Historic Neighborhood begins!
Extends South to St. John Street to Basset (the Railroad tracks) at its northern end. West to Market Street and East to third street (Some cross over with Hensley Historic at 3rd)
Backgroud:
In 1979, this district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and became a City Historic District in 1984
Neighborhood Assoc (Current):
The San Jose Downtown Residents Association (SJDRA)
Historic Places of interest hi-lites:
Saint James Park & Square, See The Square for individual details.
Business type hi-lites: Law offices, 2 bars & restaurants , hair salon, senior center, 3rd street community (non-profit), Trinity Church, 1st Unitarian, San Jose Athletic Club, San Jose Business Journal Headquarters.
Population: Est. 800 (85% Homeowners & 15% rentals)
Psychogrpahics Hi lites: White collar- Attorney's, Hi-tech, business owners, educational, city & county
Other tid bits:
- VTA & Light rail runs through St.James. Minutes from Major Bay Area freeways & expressways.
-10 minute strolls to San Pedro Square to the West and the "downtown core" to the south.
-15 Minute walk from HP Pavilion (The Shark Tank) and Guadalupe Gardens.
-Surrounded by the historic neighborhoods of Vendome, Hensley Historic & Japan Town.
-Seasonal "free"programs sponsored by the San Jose Downtown Association: Music in the Other Park & Cinema St. James are held in the summer at St. James Park.
Motto: The Heart of California's Oldest City
THE CITY OF SAN JOSE
From its founding in 1777 as California's first city, San Jose has been a leader, driven by its spirit of innovation. Today, San Jose stands as the largest city in Northern California and the Capital of Silicon Valley-theworld's leading center of innovation. California's 1st incorporated city - the 10th largest in theU.S., is committed to remaining a top-ranked place to do business,
work,live, play and learn. For more information, visit,
work,live, play and learn. For more information, visit,
www.sanjoseca.gov.
Seeing St. James Historic through your eyes...
1st Unitarian Church at St. James Park as seen on Flikr.
Flickr our world
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Flickr your world in the St. James Historic District!
Our distinguish neighborhoods
The Historic Northern Neighborhoods of Downtown San Jose
The boutique neighborhoods of downtown San Jose already exist; transforming them into walkable communities is not to far off.
Vendome
Hensley Historic
Japan Town
Horace Mann
North Side
PARK VIEW TOWERS
At Saint James Park
-Currently being updated. Thank you for your patience! -
NOTE TO OUR VIEWERS:
SJ Downtown Dwellers live, work and play. Do you?
Copyright SJ Downtown Dwellers Neighborhood Services 2009. All rights reserved.
SJ Downtown Dewllers
Neighborhood Services
Downtown San Jose, CA 95112
ph: 408 518-1991
fpenrose
