Downtown San Jose is one big construction zone

[teela brown]

The immediate downtown area has at least three skyscrapers under construction. Because I work in the commercial real estate department of a downtown law firm, I know of at least four more scheduled to break ground and begin very soon.

The one building nearest completion is bfugly, in my opinion. It looks like a Rubik's cube, except in varying shades of turquoise. It's a residential apartment building. And it's right at ground zero of downtown San Jose.

Two more are coming along. More apartments! I'm told we're trying to be very densely residential, as is the new norm. It already feels to me like San Francisco south - lots of young, techie people are moving in and changing the place drastically. Hacky-sack and backpacks abound.

I watched the French movie Mon Oncle for the first time in many years last night, and the opening sequence, with all the construction going on behind the sign boards showing the credits, was still in my mind as I drove around downtown this morning. San Jose felt and sounded just like that scene.

[Cap'n Wak, Space Pirate]

Originally Posted by teela brown

The one building nearest completion is bfugly, in my opinion. It looks like a Rubik's cube, except in varying shades of turquoise. It's a residential apartment building. And it's right at ground zero of downtown San Jose.

Is it this guy? At least it isn't Brutalist.

[teela brown]

Originally Posted by Cap'n Wak, Space Pirate

Is it this guy? At least it isn't Brutalist.

That's it, but the artist's rendering makes it look all gleamy and futuristic. IRL, it looks dull and plastic-y, like they were trying for a Mad Men, mid-century feel. It almost overhangs the sidewalk, ominously, and gives me the creeps.