The housing towers advance in downtown San Jose near the Google village

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Elevated view of the McEvoy and Dupont apartments at 280 McEvoy St in downtown San Jose, concept.

SAN JOSE – A large two-tower residential development is expected to sprout next spring in downtown San Jose, near Google’s proposed transit village.

The McEvoy and Dupont apartments in downtown San Jose would produce 365 affordable residential units around the corner of Google’s future Downtown West neighborhood and Diridon train station.

First Community Housing partnered with development giant Lendlease to build the twin tower apartment complex, designed by SERA Architects.

“We are working with First Community Housing to begin construction in April next year,” said Russell White, general manager of Australia-based Lendlease.

McEvoy Dupont Apartments lobby towers at 280 McEvoy St. in downtown San Jose, concept.

Located at 280 McEvoy St. near West San Carlos Street, the project will be developed using mass lumber technology.

“The city is very excited about getting a solid wood project, particularly for affordable housing,” said Veronica Hinkley Reck, principal executive of SERA Architects. “This is the first solid wood skyscraper project in San Jose.”

According to Lendlease and SERA, the development alliance is receiving comments on building permits from planners.

Solid wood construction techniques combine soft woods into ultra-strong, fire-resistant materials that are strong enough to build a skyscraper.

“One of the benefits of solid wood is the ability to reduce construction costs,” said White. “We can also produce a design that we can build faster” than conventional steel and concrete skyscrapers.

Street level view of the McEvoy and Dupont apartments at 280 McEvoy St. in downtown San Jose, concept.

Each tower will be 12 stories tall and the residential development will feature a variety of unit sizes.

The Dupont Tower on the east side of the project site will contain 141 apartments for families in one, two and three bedroom units. McEvoy Tower at the western end will provide 224 studios for working singles and couples.

“The units will have many design elements that bring nature and give people a sense of comfort,” Reck said.

Among the approaches: Units could have a European twist.

“We are allowed to exhibit a certain amount of lumber in the units,” Reck said. “We expect 20% of the ceilings to be exposed. This will create a lovely quality, “Reck said.” It will have a warm and tactile feel, a Scandinavian approach. “

Urban garden section of the McEvoy and Dupont apartment complex at 280 McEvoy St. in downtown San Jose, concept.

The development will feature numerous services, Lendlease and SERA said.

“A large on-site urban farm, large gathering areas, digital literacy classes, play areas, a fitness center, support services, a communal kitchen, transit passes for residents” are among the project’s services, said L development and design alliance.

The urban farm is expected to produce food for the residents, the developers said.

Four roofs with green areas, community spaces and bridges were designed for the project.

Atrium in one of the McEvoy Dupont Apartments towers at 280 McEvoy St. in downtown San Jose, concept.

According to Lendlease and SERA Architects, in an effort to create a more environmentally friendly project, the project will be fully electric.

The last important step before the start of the project is to obtain a loan for the construction of the two towers.

“First Community Housing is securing the funding to build the project,” White said. “They are waiting for their last tranche of funding to arrive.”

The reduced costs and increased efficiency of the solid wood project, coupled with elements of sustainability, could create a more favorable environment for financing the two towers.

“Funding will be more favorable for sustainable projects,” White said. “Mass-timber is one of the vehicles that allows us to carry out a more sustainable project”.

Section of McEvoy Dupont Apartments at 280 McEvoy St. in downtown San Jose near West San Carlos Street, concept.

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