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Young Meet Old at Plant 51

Building B is now open in a cool condo built in the old Del Monte packing plant.

by Danny Wool on Feb 17, 2010
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For a home to have real character, it helps to have real history. For young professionals looking to make a start in downtown San Jose, Plant 51 offers both.

Built as a factory way back in 1912, it's become a prime piece of real estate in downtown San Jose—home to some of the city's new young urbanites looking to live in the center of things. The facts speak for themselves: Despite the real estate crash, despite the housing bust, young couples and singles are moving in to the vast assortment of flats and lofts. Building A is almost full, and the Building B is now open.

Location is important, and at Building B, residents are just a few steps away from the HP Pavilion and some of the best spots to eat out in downtown San Jose—a personal favorite is Schurra's Candy Factory, just two short blocks away. (After all, who said that chocolate isn't a meal?) Building B is also perfectly situated for anyone who works in downtown San Jose. Residents won't need a car when they can walk or bike to work in just a few minutes, or step right out the door into Diridon Station.

Plant 51’s Building B, is now offering 1- and 2-bedroom flats starting in the mid-$300,000s, some of them overlooking the park, as well as lofts with two and three levels, ranging in price from $365,000 to $620,000. For the more adventurous homebodies, the three-level lofts include an enclosed patio that preserves the signature Plant 51 design.

All the homes at Plant 51 are designed with outdoor living in mind. They surround a landscaped courtyard, with grass for sitting, terraces for sunning, tables for dining, and even a 15-foot barbecue pit for putting the food on the picnic table. The pathways are surrounded by bamboo, organic gardens and water to create the atmosphere of a friendly rural garden in the heart of the city.

Healthy bodies mean happy people. That's a motto at Plant 51, which is why so much space and effort went into planning the local fitness centers. The most important of these is the Boiler Room, a converted two-story warehouse that now serves as a spacious gym with state-of-the art cardio equipment.

The building preserves the old brick of the original warehouse in many parts of the property, including the gym, giving the sense of a true warehouse workout in a time when things were so much simpler and healthier. The Mezzanine Lounge is located in a gallery overlooking the Boiler Room (which once really housed the cannery's boilers). It's a place for residents to get together before, after, or in spite of the workouts.

For people looking for a more quiet space to work on their aerobics or yoga, there's a separate Fitness Studio, right next to the Boiler Room. It has the same brick walls and hardwood floors that provide a warm, comfortable setting to get the heart pumping and the blood flowing.

One more cool thing: As a longtime city dweller, I've always had the problem of what to do with my bike. You can't really keep it in the living room, the bedroom is always too crowded, and then there's the kitchen … Exactly, the kitchen!

Plant 51 has come up with the idea of a separate Bicycle Kitchen, on a path leading directly to Bush Street. So why a Bike Kitchen and not a Bike Garage? Well, for one thing, it's more than just a garage. It's a place for people who like to tinker and keep their bikes in tiptop shape. It's more than just a place to park. There's a dedicated repair area with all the tools you could possible need to keep your tires pumped, your chains greased, and your pedals aligned. You'll probably need it too, considering that the Guadalupe River Trail is just minutes away, and there's no healthier way to pick up all the fresh fruits and vegetables you want than a quick ride to the nearby Farmer's Market.

Plant 51 really is an amazing place. It has all the charm of a century-old brick building, all the atmosphere of country living, and all the amenities of living downtown in a bustling twenty-first century city. It's truly young meets old, and it's a good mix.



by Danny Wool on Feb 17, 2010
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