Blog

The world has changed a lot since 1974 when the three-story Golden Pacific Office Center opened its doors along Winchester Boulevard in West San Jose. Often referred to as the Comerica Bank building, the structure at 1245 So. Winchester Blvd. — complemented by a smaller companion next door — has languished over the decades.

Today, a 21st century transformation is taking place — with the interior upgrades virtually complete and the exterior renovations now underway — which will make the newly renamed Solar Row at Winchester office complex one of the most innovative in the area. Development manager, Borelli Investment Company, is creating a modern, aesthetically pleasing, highly energy-efficient place to do business for companies of all sizes — with office suites from 350 sq. ft. to 20,000 sq. ft.

Unprecedented Green Renovation

“It’s virtually unheard of to undertake a green building renovation in a structure of this age,” said Buddy Parsons, president of Borelli Investment Company. “Our solar solutions provider, SilRay, is leading the way in doing a major retrofit without tearing everything down and starting from scratch.”

Working closely with asset manager, Archers Capital, and general contractor, SiliconX Construction, Borelli is creating a solar-powered green building that will have a rooftop solar system supplying approximately one-third of the building’s energy needs, along with energy-efficient LED lighting and many other energy-conscious green features.

Complete Interior Refurbish

Work on the Solar Row at Winchester complex began with a complete interior renovation. All common areas have received much-needed upgrades:

•     Gracious lobbies — High vaulted ceilings, chandeliers and new LED lighting, collaborative seating for spontaneous get-togethers, Wi-Fi access, and electronic storefront entries as part of a sophisticated new security system

•     Inviting hallways — Vibrant LED lighting with motion sensors and dimming controls, new ceiling tiles and paint, quality carpeting, plus new 8-foot doors, frames and hardware for each of the offices

•     Comfortable restrooms — Complete renovation and reconfiguration — with new wainscoting, partitions, LED lighting, Corian counter tops, sparkling ceramic tile floors, the latest hand dryers, and access locks

•     Convenient conference room — Available to be reserved for meetings with up to ten people; outfitted with serving cabinetry, table and chairs, white board, new fixtures, and upgraded carpeting

•     Mail room for building tenants — Mail lockers, with incoming and outgoing mail

•     Signage — Full tenant signage, including an electronic directory in the lobby

•     Other amenities — There will also be new elevator finishes and Wi-Fi in all common areas

Distinctive Exterior Facelift

Plans call for Solar Row at Winchester to feature a dramatic new exterior as well, designed by San Jose-based Edwin Bruce Associates, architects AIA. This will include a smooth stucco finish with new trim, metal paneling, solar film windows, and the previously noted rooftop solar installation. At each entry, there will be covered seating, ideal for collaboration while taking advantage of the South Bay’s hospitable weather virtually year-round.

Solar solutions provider and building tenant, SilRay, which is providing the technical know-how for the leading-edge solar infrastructure on-site, will also be creating a unique solar art exhibit. Consisting of two stunning, 27-foot-wide “solar trees” with branch panels that generate additional energy for building usage, the trees will be located in front of the main building.

In addition, there will be new monument signage for tenants, a redesigned entry from Winchester Boulevard, drought-tolerant landscaping, and a host of EV plug-in stations All exterior work is expected to be completed in the coming weeks or months.

Complementing the City of San Jose’s Plans

The renovation by the new ownership group, directed by Borelli and Archers Capital, is a perfect complement for the City of San Jose’s ambitious plans to encourage redevelopment along the Winchester Boulevard corridor from Santana Row to Campbell.

“Solar Row at Winchester serves a major need for modern, Class B office space in fast-growing West San Jose,” Parsons remarked. “The transformed office complex is virtually at the midpoint between tech-savvy Santana Row — with its many restaurants, entertainment offerings and retail services — and the quaint offerings of downtown Campbell. With a generous 8/1,000 parking ratio and all of the upgrades and energy-efficient features, this should be very attractive to a variety of businesses.”

For more information about the Solar Row at Winchester office complex, contact Borelli Investment Company at (408) 453-4700.

About Archers Capital

Archers Capital is a San Jose, California-based real estate investment firm that invests, develops and manages both commercial and residential properties. Focused on the greater San Jose Bay Area, Archers manages investments and creates value in renovating and repositioning existing buildings and ground-up development. For more information, please call Michael Cheng at (650) 275-2594, or email michael@archerscapital.com. Or visit www.archerscapital.com.

About Borelli Investment Company

Borelli Investment Company is a San Jose, California-based real estate services firm that has provided property management, leasing and development services to the Silicon Valley and beyond for more than 60 years. Every member at Borelli brings a professional approach to help owners and investors achieve their goals. For more information, please contact Buddy Parsons at (408) 453-4700, Ext. 116, or email buddy@borelli.com. Or visit www.borelli.com.

About SiliconX Construction

SiliconX Construction is a full-service general contractor that provides a wide array of value-focused construction services to clients throughout Northern California. Specialties include ground-up construction, major renovations, tenant improvements, and facilities maintenance. For more information, call Tony Gonzales at (408) 418-0099, or e-mail tony@siliconxconstruction.com. Or visit siliconxconstruction.com.

Save The Date: June 13
Solar Row Grand Re-Opening
Open House 11am – 1pm

Join us for the Open House on Thursday June 13 from 11am to 1pm. Refreshments will be served. Please RSVP to Stephanie Sonthana by June 12 if you’re planning to join us.  We look forward to seeing you!

For more information about Solar Row, visit Solar-Row.com.

At the busy corner of highways 4 and 49 in Angels Camp sits Frog Jump Plaza. Located at 51 North Main Street, Angels Camp, California – the center is currently offering a 1,740sf unit of retail space for lease. The entire center is also currently offered for sale as well.

Building Features
• Highway Monument Sign
• Abundant parking

Suite G Features
• 1,740 sq. ft.
• Large Open Area
• One private office
• One private restroom
• Kitchen / Storage Area

Surrounding Business Services
• Highway frontage is a strong tourist draw
• Anchored by CVS, McDonald’s, Starbucks

Location & Access
• Located at NW corner of Hwys 4 and 49

Leasing
• Flexible Lease Terms
• Full Commission
• Competitive Pricing

Download the flyer here.

Please contact:
Lee Jatta & Buddy Parsons
408.453.4700 x140 408.453.4700 x116

Reprinted from: San Jose Mercury News

McEvoy Apartments receive financing
Project would create 319 affordable residential units
By George Avalos

SAN JOSE » Hundreds of apartments are poised to sprout in downtown San Jose now that a property sale and key financing are in place for a project to bring affordable housing to a site near the Diridon train station.

The McEvoy Apartments project, proposed for the corner of West San Carlos and McEvoy streets, would create 319 affordable residential units in a two-stage development, according to the developer and the financer for the residential complex.

First Community Housing, acting through an affiliate called McEvoy Street, paid $13.5 million on July 31 for several parcels where the seller, 699 West San Carlos Street, now operates a metal shop, S& S Welding, according to Santa Clara County property records.

At the same time as the property purchase, the First Community Housing affiliate obtained $15.8 million in financing from Housing Trust Silicon Valley, public records show.

The lender provided $9.4 million to finance the purchase, and another $6.4 million for pre-development costs. The financing didn’t indicate funding for any construction at this point.

“This is an affordable project, and an affordable housing project in Silicon Valley has zero market risk,” said Ralph Borelli, principal executive with San Jose-based Borelli Investment Company. Borelli, a commercial realty broker, helped arrange the deal for the S& S Welding owners, the Nick D’Arpino family, to sell the property to First Community Housing. “We are in a housing crisis and there is insatiable demand for housing.”

The maximum rental range for the apartments will be $700 to $1,400 for a studio; $750 to $1,500 for a one-bedroom; $900 to $1,800 for a two-bedroom; and $1,050 and $2,100 for a three-bedroom — far below market rates.

According to July 2018 McEvoy figures from RentCafe, the average rent in San Jose is $1,948 for a studio, $2,363 for a one bedroom, $2,878 for a two bedroom and $3,407 for a three bedroom.

Compared with current market rate prices, asking prices at the new project would be 46 percent lower for the affordable studios, 52 percent lower for the one-bedroom units, 53 percent lower for two-bedroom apartments and 54 percent lower for three-bedroom residences.

The first phase of building would provide a mix of one-, two- and threebedroom rental apartments, while the second phase would consist primarily of studios, according to Housing Trust Silicon Valley.

More of these developments could materialize in this part of downtown San Jose, said Bob Staedler, principal executive with Silicon Valley Synergy, a land use and planning consultancy.

“This area is evolving into downtown San Jose 2.0,” Staedler said. “You will see more of these properties transition to mixed-use projects when you consider the cost of housing and the location near Google andDiridon station.”

Google is planning a mixed-use, transit-oriented community of offices, homes, shops, restaurants and open spaces where 15,000 to 20,000 of the search giant’s employees would work near the Diridon transit station and SAP Center.

A short distance away, San Josebased Adobe Systems plans to dramatically expand its existing threebuilding headquarters campus by constructing an iconic fourth office tower at an adjacent property.

“This location is absolutely what drove First Community Housing to do this deal,” Borelli said. Contact George Avalos at 408-8595167.

The planned 14-story, 319-unit residential tower is located in downtown San Jose at the corner of McEvoy and West San Carlos streets. Developers will replace the welding shop currently at the location.

120-Acre, $3-Billion Market Park San Jose Welcomes Safeway as Retail Center Anchor

SAN JOSE, Calif., July 30, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Safeway, which has served San Jose since 1926 and is now part of one of the largest food and drug retail chains in the U.S., will anchor a 100,000 sq. ft. retail center in the North Village of Market Park San Jose. Located immediately adjacent to the soon-to-open Berryessa BART station, when completed Market Park will be the largest transit-oriented development in Silicon Valley, consisting of nearly 4,000 residential units plus approximately 1,500,000 sq. ft. of office space — in addition to retail, neighborhood parks and walking/bicycling paths.

Complementing the full-service, 65,000 sq. ft. Safeway store, the North Village’s Market Place shopping center will include a major drugstore, financial institutions, and various restaurants and service businesses. The center’s attractive, modern design by Kenneth Rodrigues + Partners has been created to appeal to the upscale business clientele and residents within the Market Park community.

“Market Park is an ideal location for a new Safeway,” said Brad Street, president of Safeway Northern California. “We are excited to be part of this neighborhood and create new jobs in the community. We look forward to welcoming residents and offering the best in organic, fresh, local and healthier-for-you products.”

Construction of Retail Center Scheduled to Start in Fall of 2019

Construction of the retail center is anticipated to commence in the Fall of 2019, with the new next-generation Safeway store expected to open to shoppers in 2020.

Project management and office leasing are being led by Borelli Investment Company, while The Schoennauer Company is handling permitting for Market Park. For additional information about the master-planned community, please contact Ralph Borelli or Chris Anderson. Visit www.borelli.com or call (408) 453-4700. Or go to the Market Park San Jose website at marketparksanjose.com.

In a bid to provide a hub for Agricultural Technology and state-of-the-art warehouse and distribution, Silicon Valley Global Partners is set to build its $50 million THRIVE Business Park in Salinas adjacent to the Salinas Municipal Airport.

“Currently we have a 1 percent vacancy rate in Monterey County,” said Michael Bassetti, Cushman & Wakefield real estate director. “Momentum is growing, the economy is strong, and industrial space is in demand. The time is right to build it.”

SVG Partners, in collaboration with the city of Salinas, Borelli Investment Company, and Swenson developers and contractors, will develop the 206,000-square-foot flex research and development and warehouse/distribution center. Cushman & Wakefield will be the real estate company marketing the property to potential tenants.

Read the whole story in the Monterey Herald here, and in the San Jose Mercury News here.