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The Sainte Clarie Hotel was built in 1926 by San Jose real-estate heavy-weight T.S. Montgomery at a cost of one million dollars. It was designed by the architectural firm Weeks and Day, who also designed the California Fox Theater.

The Eagle Brewery stood at this location from 1863 to 1923 - 70 years of golden, lovely brew.

The hotel was touted as the finest between San Francisco and Los Angeles, and effectively replaced The Montgomery Hotel (1911) as top-dog hotel in San Jose.

By the 1970's it had gone into decline, and existed as low-income housing. Starting in 1980, a succession of benevolent developers brought the old darling back to life. A second "grand opening" took place in 1992.

I recently enjoyed a Fuzzy Navel in the hotel bar. Service was friendly and professional.

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