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Solar Row at Winchester Office Complex – a Shining Transformation of an Older Building

November 25, 2019 By Silicon X Construction

Highlights

•     Completed a comprehensive interior renovation including lobbies, hallways, restrooms, conference room, mailroom, and more

•      Oversaw a distinctive exterior facelift involving a smooth stucco finish with new trim, metal paneling, solar film windows, redesigned entry, monument signage, and drought-tolerant landscaping

•      Incorporated green features throughout the project without starting from scratch, a major accomplishment in a building of this age

The world’s a different place from the way it was in 1974, when the three-story Golden Pacific Office Center opened its doors to the public. Often referred to as the Comerica Bank Building, the structure at 1245 South Winchester Boulevard — together with a smaller companion building next door — had languished over the decades.

•      Ensured that all work complements the City of San Jose’s plans for development along the vital Winchester Boulevard corridor

Challenge

The new owners of the building wanted to create a modern, aesthetically pleasing, highly energy-efficient place to do business for companies of all sizes — with office suites of from 475 sq. ft. to 25,000 sq. ft. The nearly half-century old building posed a significant obstacle to the goal of achieving green building certification. In addition, the owners had purchased a variety of cost-effective materials from China for the renovation — including doors, frames and hardware. But many of these were not compatible with ADA codes and were slightly different sizes, so they didn’t fit the rough openings to the offices in the building.

Solution

•      Gracious lobbies with soaring ceilings, collaborative seating areas, secure electronic storefront entries, chandeliers, and new LED lighting

SiliconX Construction was asked to undertake a major 21st century transformation. Interior work included:

•      Inviting hallways featuring LED lighting with motion sensors and dimming controls, new ceilings and carpeting — plus new doors, frames and hardware for each office

•      Completely renovated and reconfigured restrooms with new wainscoting, partitions, LED lighting, hard-surface countertops, and tile floors

•      A new conference room with serving cabinetry, as well as a new mailroom, tenant signage, elevator finishes, an LED-lighted lobby directory, and Wi-Fi in common areas

Exterior improvements included:

•      A smooth stucco finish with new trim, paint, metal paneling, and solar film windows

•      A rooftop solar system supplying approximately one-third of the building’s energy needs, plus many other energy-conscious green features

•     Covered seating areas at each entrance, new monument signage, a redesigned entry from Winchester Boulevard, EV plug-in stations, and drought-tolerant landscaping

Unique 27-foot-wide “solar trees” in front of the main building — with “branch” panels that generate additional energy for the tenants’ usage — and EV plug-in stations will be installed once permitting is approved, to continue the solar theme of the project.

Results

SiliconX worked closely with San Jose-based Edwin Bruce Associates, architects AIA — as well as solar solutions provider and building tenant, SilRay, to handle the solar power installations. SiliconX also had to creatively adapt on the fly in the field, collaborating with its subcontractors to deal with issues created by the overseas doors, frames and hardware in addition to those related to shear walls that hadn’t appeared on existing drawings. This enabled SiliconX to complete its construction in a timely manner and realize budget savings for the owners.

The result is a modern, Class B office complex of 71,800 sq. ft. located at the midpoint between tech-savvy Santana Row — with its many restaurants, entertainment options and retail services — and the quaint offerings of downtown Campbell. Solar Row at Winchester is a shining example of what can be accomplished with the right combination of hard work, experience and technical know-how.

Filed Under: Blog

Creating a Welcoming Public Plaza on Busy University Avenue in Palo Alto

November 18, 2019 By Silicon X Construction

Highlights

•     Renovated a 3,000 sq. ft. public plaza in the heart of downtown Palo Alto’s bustling shopping district

•      Blended old and new — with a modern design incorporating patterned permeable pavers, cedar benches and decking with extensive landscaping

•      Met the challenges of working in a high-traffic location with building material deliveries limited to the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

•      Completed all work on schedule to the highest quality standards

Palo Alto is a charming town that’s alive at all times of the day and much of the night. Residents and visitors stroll the sidewalks, stopping into a wide variety of retail establishments, cafes and coffee shops, bookstores, art galleries, a movie theater, and high-end restaurants — enjoying the ambiance of a highly pedestrian-friendly city. With the goal of catering to shoppers, diners and entertainment-seekers, the city identified a public plaza at 150 University Avenue that was long overdue for a major facelift.

Challenge

The 3,000 sq. ft. plaza is bordered by Amber Dhara, an upscale Indian restaurant, and The Verve coffee shop. Its location on one of the busiest thoroughfares in the city also presented some of the biggest challenges for SiliconX Construction. Getting building materials in and out was an issue, because this could only be done between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. — impacting the schedule. In addition, the very public location meant there were a lot of interested passers-by — including helpful building department personnel who occasionally dropped in to check on the progress.

Solution

Working from a distinctive modern design, SiliconX completely transformed the plaza with permeable pavers laid out in an intricate pattern, rich wood seating areas with benches and decking built from long-lasting, weather-resistant, virtually knot-free Western red cedar, an overhead trellis, aircraft cable barriers, and extensive LED lighting both above and at ground-level to create an inviting environment for evening activities. A drainage system was installed beneath the pavers, and all the lighting is on a programmable timer for maximum energy efficiency.

Working with a landscape architect, SiliconX surrounded the plaza with shrubs and plants, as well as several specimen-size fruitless olive trees — watered with an automated irrigation system. The finishing touches included several covered seating areas as well as high tables for diners or simply for gathering with friends.

Results

The redesigned plaza now stands as an inviting public space for people in downtown Palo Alto to gather for food or conversation. SiliconX Construction was able to meet the challenges of completing its work to the city’s high standards on time with an extended schedule.

Filed Under: Blog

An Historic Facelift for 526 Waverley in Palo Alto

November 13, 2019 By Silicon X Construction

Highlights

•     Completed a historically accurate façade restoration of a building originally built in downtown Palo Alto in1927

•     Recreated architectural features and elements that had been lost over the decades through misguided changes

•     Seamlessly integrated modern-day construction technologies and methods with traditional materials and techniques used in the original construction

•     Ensured that there was minimal disruption to pedestrian traffic and commerce in the area while the work was being done

In 1927, H.J. Hoffacker engaged Birge Clark, one of Palo Alto’s most prominent architects, and contractor, Wells Goodenough, to build the Hoffacker family home, as well as commercial space for his business, the Palo Alto Sport Shop — which served city residents for nearly 90 years. But after almost a century of use, the historic Spanish Colonial Revival building had begun to fade, and was in desperate need of a comprehensive facelift. To accomplish this, the owners turned to SiliconX Construction.

Challenge

The biggest challenge was upgrading the façade using modern technology and construction practices, while preserving the unique character of the building, which had been a Category 3 historic resource in the city since 1989. While many of the Spanish Revival features — such as the red tile roof, arched cornice detailing and natural, earthy tones — remained, other elements had been lost due to changes over the years. The goal was to restore as many of these as possible to reflect Clark’s original vision and enable the building to rise to a Category 2 historical designation.

Solution

SiliconX Construction needed to complete the renovation without disrupting commerce in the downtown Palo Alto area. To do this, the company created a tunnel pathway over the sidewalk for pedestrians to pass through while work was going on.

The façade was painstakingly recreated to bring the building back to its 1920s appearance. Some exterior architectural features were fashioned with foam and integrated into the concrete exterior, then covered with stucco mixed to match the style of the original. Window trim was recreated from powder-coated aluminum and handmade ceramic tile was sourced for the decorative wainscoting below the windows.

One of the biggest challenges was recreating the wrought iron balconies and other ironwork used on the building. SiliconX identified a subcontractor to produce what was needed to beautifully restore the architectural integrity of Clark’s original design.

Results

Today, 526 Waverley Street in Palo Alto stands as a testament to the historic Spanish Colonial Revival architecture typical of the 1920s in Palo Alto. This restored façade would likely meet with the approval of architect Clark today — while offering 5,800 sq. ft. of functional retail space on the ground floor and an additional 3,150 sq. ft. of multi-purpose space with an excellent window line on the mezzanine.

SiliconX Construction completed all of its painstaking work on budget — delivering a building that should stand up very well to the test of time for years to come.

Filed Under: Blog, Projects

Borelli Transforming Mid-1970s Office Center into Innovative Solar Row at Winchester Complex

September 27, 2019 By Silicon X Construction

Solar Row at Winchester

The world has changed a lot since 1974 when the three-story Golden Pacific Office Center opened its doors along Winchester Boulevard in West San Jose. Often referred to as the Comerica Bank building, the structure at 1245 So. Winchester Blvd. — complemented by a smaller companion next door — has languished over the decades.

Today, a 21st century transformation is taking place — with the interior upgrades virtually complete and the exterior renovations now underway — which will make the newly renamed Solar Row at Winchester office complex one of the most innovative in the area. Development manager, Borelli Investment Company, is creating a modern, aesthetically pleasing, highly energy-efficient place to do business for companies of all sizes — with office suites from 350 sq. ft. to 20,000 sq. ft.

Unprecedented Green Renovation

“It’s virtually unheard of to undertake a green building renovation in a structure of this age,” said Buddy Parsons, president of Borelli Investment Company. “Our solar solutions provider, SilRay, is leading the way in doing a major retrofit without tearing everything down and starting from scratch.”

Working closely with asset manager, Archers Capital, and general contractor, SiliconX Construction, Borelli is creating a solar-powered green building that will have a rooftop solar system supplying approximately one-third of the building’s energy needs, along with energy-efficient LED lighting and many other energy-conscious green features.

Complete Interior Refurbish

Work on the Solar Row at Winchester complex began with a complete interior renovation. All common areas have received much-needed upgrades:

•     Gracious lobbies — High vaulted ceilings, chandeliers and new LED lighting, collaborative seating for spontaneous get-togethers, Wi-Fi access, and electronic storefront entries as part of a sophisticated new security system

•     Inviting hallways — Vibrant LED lighting with motion sensors and dimming controls, new ceiling tiles and paint, quality carpeting, plus new 8-foot doors, frames and hardware for each of the offices

•     Comfortable restrooms — Complete renovation and reconfiguration — with new wainscoting, partitions, LED lighting, Corian counter tops, sparkling ceramic tile floors, the latest hand dryers, and access locks

•     Convenient conference room — Available to be reserved for meetings with up to ten people; outfitted with serving cabinetry, table and chairs, white board, new fixtures, and upgraded carpeting

•     Mail room for building tenants — Mail lockers, with incoming and outgoing mail

•     Signage — Full tenant signage, including an electronic directory in the lobby

•     Other amenities — There will also be new elevator finishes and Wi-Fi in all common areas

Distinctive Exterior Facelift

Plans call for Solar Row at Winchester to feature a dramatic new exterior as well, designed by San Jose-based Edwin Bruce Associates, architects AIA. This will include a smooth stucco finish with new trim, metal paneling, solar film windows, and the previously noted rooftop solar installation. At each entry, there will be covered seating, ideal for collaboration while taking advantage of the South Bay’s hospitable weather virtually year-round.

Solar solutions provider and building tenant, SilRay, which is providing the technical know-how for the leading-edge solar infrastructure on-site, will also be creating a unique solar art exhibit. Consisting of two stunning, 27-foot-wide “solar trees” with branch panels that generate additional energy for building usage, the trees will be located in front of the main building.

In addition, there will be new monument signage for tenants, a redesigned entry from Winchester Boulevard, drought-tolerant landscaping, and a host of EV plug-in stations All exterior work is expected to be completed in the coming weeks or months.

Complementing the City of San Jose’s Plans

The renovation by the new ownership group, directed by Borelli and Archers Capital, is a perfect complement for the City of San Jose’s ambitious plans to encourage redevelopment along the Winchester Boulevard corridor from Santana Row to Campbell.

“Solar Row at Winchester serves a major need for modern, Class B office space in fast-growing West San Jose,” Parsons remarked. “The transformed office complex is virtually at the midpoint between tech-savvy Santana Row — with its many restaurants, entertainment offerings and retail services — and the quaint offerings of downtown Campbell. With a generous 8/1,000 parking ratio and all of the upgrades and energy-efficient features, this should be very attractive to a variety of businesses.”

For more information about the Solar Row at Winchester office complex, contact Borelli Investment Company at (408) 453-4700.

About Archers Capital

Archers Capital is a San Jose, California-based real estate investment firm that invests, develops and manages both commercial and residential properties. Focused on the greater San Jose Bay Area, Archers manages investments and creates value in renovating and repositioning existing buildings and ground-up development. For more information, please call Michael Cheng at (650) 275-2594, or email michael@archerscapital.com. Or visit www.archerscapital.com.

About Borelli Investment Company

Borelli Investment Company is a San Jose, California-based real estate services firm that has provided property management, leasing and development services to the Silicon Valley and beyond for more than 60 years. Every member at Borelli brings a professional approach to help owners and investors achieve their goals. For more information, please contact Buddy Parsons at (408) 453-4700, Ext. 116, or email buddy@borelli.com. Or visit www.borelli.com.

About SiliconX Construction

SiliconX Construction is a full-service general contractor that provides a wide array of value-focused construction services to clients throughout Northern California. Specialties include ground-up construction, major renovations, tenant improvements, and facilities maintenance. For more information, call Tony Gonzales at (408) 418-0099, or e-mail tony@siliconxconstruction.com. Or visit siliconxconstruction.com.

Filed Under: Blog

Office Transformation for Cape Analytics in Mountain View

January 27, 2019 By Silicon X Construction

New Conference Rooms with Immaculate Glass Lines

SiliconX Construction recently completed a beautiful tenant improvement for Cape Analytics in Mt. View.  The project encompassed 5,800 square feet of office space with scope consisting of new glass conference rooms, electrical fixtures throughout, flooring, paint, HVAC, and telephone/data connections.

The Mountain View planning and permit process is known to be tedious, long, and drawn out which typically pushes any client’s completion date. Additionally, the client found improvements to make to the plans along the way which SiliconX responded to handily. Finally, during construction a new landlord acquired the property which caused a few additional hiccups in the production schedule.

Open Office Space with Glass Conference Rooms

Given all of these complications, SiliconX was able to produce a beautiful new space for this real estate tech startup with a bright future.  The new landlord was very pleased with SiliconX as a new General Contractor in their building, and Cape Analytics has since settled into their new and very functional space.

If you have a tenant improvement project coming up, anywhere in the Bay Area, contact us for fast and free quote.

Filed Under: Blog

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  • Ready to Help You Move Forward
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  • Solar Row at Winchester Office Complex – a Shining Transformation of an Older Building
  • Creating a Welcoming Public Plaza on Busy University Avenue in Palo Alto
  • An Historic Facelift for 526 Waverley in Palo Alto
  • Borelli Transforming Mid-1970s Office Center into Innovative Solar Row at Winchester Complex
  • Office Transformation for Cape Analytics in Mountain View

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