This new mixed-use development is designed to provide affordable housing, strengthen community, and help to transform this neighborhood into a vibrant walkable urban village.

Quetzal Gardens is a 100% affordable family housing development with 71 apartments, located in the Little Portugal Urban Village and Mayfair neighborhood of East San Jose. The new homes are reserved for low-income individuals and families and 28 units are set aside as permanent service-enriched supportive housing for formerly homeless households. The mixed-use building provides 7,000 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor to serve community-serving tenants including the local non-profit Somos Mayfair.

The building design meets the goals laid out in the city’s Little Portugal Urban Village Plan. The building is designed to provide a unique identity to the neighborhood and compliment the nearby Mexican Heritage Plaza. The Quetzal bird inspires the project colors and architectural vocabulary of the building. This includes a feather motif at the railing and metal work throughout the building and a distinctive wall pattern on the main corner tower element. The ground level creates an active streetscape with large storefront windows and an inviting public plaza that will anchor the corner and create an inviting space for the larger community to enjoy.

The unique unit layout with exterior circulation around a central courtyard will help foster social interaction and a sense of community for the residents. The central courtyard contains seating areas, landscaping, and a children’s play area. Offices are provided for a fulltime service coordinator who will provide on-site mental health treatment and case management. Other project amenities include car stackers to reduce the parking footprint, a common room, and a sixth floor terrace with edible gardens, landscaping, and additional open space for residents to enjoy.

Design Features & Amenities

  • On-site management and resident services
  • Sixth floor terrace with views
  • Exterior circulation around central courtyard
  • 28 units of supportive housing
  • GreenTRIP Certified
  • Green design and 100% electric building
  • Corner community plaza
  • Extensive ground level commercial space