12.07.2023

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Today’s Forecast

57º | Mostly sunny | 5% chance of rain | Sunrise: 7:22 a.m. | Sunset: 5:06 p.m.

🏬 Vallco Fashion Park rises once again

What’s next for Vallco Fashion Park?

An artist's rendering of "The Rise" project, featuring multi-story mixed-use residential and restaurant building and hundreds of people milling around in a public square, with a band performing on a stage.

Sand Hill Property Company’s rendering of “The Rise” Cupertino, which will be constructed in the space. | Photo courtesy @therisecalifornia

Empty retail space is being eyed for new housing developments all over the South Bay.

The site where Vallco Fashion Park used to sit may soon see new life as a mixed-use space, though not nearly at the same scope the developers were originally intending.

Sand Hill Property Company, the developer who owns the space, announced it is scaling back original plans for the 50-acre space due to rising costs, inflation + construction delays.

Let’s see where the project, dubbed “The Rise,” is at now.

The interior of the Vallco Fashion Park mall in the 1990s, complete with escalator, greenery, and people milling around the open, indoor space. — Vallco Fashion Park in its hayday circa 1990.
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Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons.

Ch-ch-ch-changes

Sand Hill Property Company finished their purchase of the remaining Vallco retail space in 2014, and the mall officially closed its doors in 2018 — following the exodus of the remaining tenants. Plans for the space solidified as “The Rise” in March of 2022.

Originally, one of the project’s signature features included a rooftop park, but has now changed to become a seven acre, street-level public park.

Retail space will be decreasing ~50% as well — from 429,000 sqft to 230,000 sqft — and will prioritize smaller retailers and restaurants.

Other changes to the plan involve the residential side of the mixed-use space. Instead of seven 240-ft residential towers, the new plan calls for three shorter towers along with 85-ft or shorter homes.

While the overall number of homes will increase by 10% (up to 2,669 total units), the number of those that will be affordable will be scaled back from ~1,200 to 890 units.

Artist's rendering of a mixed-use residential/retail space at the site of Vallco, including a multi-story building, and a packed bottom floor retail space. — New plans for The Rise in Cupertino will scale back the original plans for retail space.
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Photo courtesy @therisecalifornia

What’s next?

Cupertino City Council still needs to approve the new plans, and will take the next ~60 days to review, per state law.

Sand Hill says they still need to prepare the site for construction, which could begin in 2024. The full project will break ground in 2025.

Events

Thursday, Dec. 7

Are You Garbage | Thursday, Dec. 7 | 8 p.m. | San Jose Improv, 62 S. Second St., San Jose | $30-$95 | Join Kevin Ryan and H. Foley for a night of stand-up comedy and audience participation.
Ken Ludwig’s “The Game’s Afoot; or Holmes for the Holidays” | Through Sunday, Dec. 17 | Times vary | City Lights Theater Company, 529 S. Second St., San Jose | $28-$67 | Blending both comedy and intrigue, this mystery is a wildly hilarious holiday adventure.

Friday, Dec. 8

Fiesta Navideña | Friday, Dec. 8 | 5:30-10 p.m. | Mexican Heritage Plaza, 1700 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose | Free | Hear music from Tres Souls, shop La Plaza’s Christmas-themed festival, and eat Mexican-inspired cuisine.
“The Office” Merry & Dwight Christmas Trivia Night | Friday, Dec. 8 | 7-9 p.m. | The Plex, 800 Embedded Way, San Jose | Free | Are you a Dunder Mifflin enthusiast? Grab a team + prove your knowledge on the Scranton gang.
The 58th Annual “Nutcracker” | Through Saturday, Dec. 9 | Times vary | San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 255 S. Almaden Blvd., San Jose | $48-$99 | Step into the enchanting world of sugarplums, waltzing flowers + menacing mice, in the longest-running live production of this Christmas classic.
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes | Friday, Dec. 8 | 8 p.m. | The Ritz, 400 S. First St., San Jose | $28-$30 | Pick it up, pick it up... it’s a ska-dventure in classic covers and modern hits with this punk rock supergroup.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Shop

3 holiday gift picks for men (all 50% off)

Harlestons has extended their 50% offer exclusively for our readers. | Photo by Harlestons

Harlestons has extended its 50% off sale just for our readers: Use the auto-applied code 6AM50 for 50% off everything online until Friday, Dec. 8 at midnight.

New to the high-quality menswear brand? Here are our top three gift picks:

Sport Hoodie: This top-seller is almost sold out.
The Anson performance polo: It’s rated five stars by 99% of customers.
The Sully quarter zip: Many of these colors match up with The Anson colors for a coordinated, layered look.

Save 50% on these gifts with code 6AM50

News Notes

Sports

San Jose Earthquakes are kicking up goodwill in south San Jose. The team is leasing 30 acres of undeveloped land near the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds for community practice space. While the timeline is uncertain, officials say the space will include professional fields and a practice center for community use + the Earthquakes Academy. (The Mercury News)

Number

$235,183. That’s the average down payment on a home in the San Jose metro area, and is 25% of the average purchase price (~$1.2 million). That’s ~687% higher than the national average down payment of ~$34,248. This also works out to about 26,131 $9 avocado toasts. (The Mercury News)

Travel

You may be able to fly direct from San Jose to London Heathrow Airport soon. British Airways officially ended its lease at San Jose Mineta International Airport in October. SJC is now offering the airline a new deal to resume flights between the two cities in October 2026. (Silicon Valley Business Journal/The Mercury News)

Opening

Curry Pizza House is opening its new location in east San Jose this Saturday, Dec. 9. Stop by 361 N. Capitol Ave. for a free 8” pizza, 50% off coupons, and other vouchers. The restaurant is also offering a 20% discount through Sunday, Dec. 17.

Holiday

This evening marks the beginning of Hanukkah — the Jewish Festival of Lights. Celebrate with the Oshman Family Jewish Community Center’s “Lights of Hope” gathering, or by attending the “Big Gay Hanukkah Party” at Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center.

Plan Ahead

The San Jose Barracuda face off against the Henderson Silver Knights this weekend at Tech CU Arena. The ‘Cuda were 0-3 against the Knights earlier in the season, and are hoping for that home-team advantage.

Pets

Step one of your dog’s wellness journey: Nom Nom. The vet nutritionist-developed meals are perfectly portioned for a vibrant, joyful life. Get 50% off your first order.*

Seasonal

☕ Try these delicious winter coffee drinks

These winter-seasonal coffee drinks in San Jose are snow joke

A latte in a tumbler glass on a wooden coaster on a wooden table, with a white foam head, and latte art in the shape of a flower and a heart. There are sprinkles of ground gingerbread over the top.

Snap into the holiday season with a delicious gingerbread latte. | Photo courtesy Ashlee Chai at AM Craft

Winter in San Jose may not be as chilly as other places in the US, but the falling leaves and (occasional) rain are a fantastic excuse to try out some seriously delicious seasonal coffee drinks in the great 408.

Check out these spots in San Jose that are brewing up some holiday magic.

AM Craft | 481 E. San Carlos St.

Like a warm hug on a cold day, the Gingerbread Latte adds a bit of spice to your morning. Try it with a chocolate hazelnut twice-baked croissant.

Nirvana Soul | Various locations

Whether you’re making your way downtown or stopping by the spot in Cupertino, Nirvana Soul’s five unique seasonal drinks will lift your spirit and enrich your soul. We recommend the delicious Holiday Matcha paired with a buttery golden waffle.

Have a favorite latte we missed? Let us know.

4 more spots for festive coffee

The Buy

The Buy 12.07.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

The best sunglasses for people on our gift list who love being outside. Bonus: They’re 20% off today.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Gregg

From the editor

There’s just something about traditional latkes with sour cream + applesauce — an unlikely combo that is exceptionally delicious. Have a favorite Hanukkah recipe? Let me know.

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