State Continues Role of Economic and Jobs Driver

Phase II of America Center recently broke ground.

SAN JOSE—Further bolstering California’s position as the national leader in job creation, Area Development magazine has awarded California its first-ever Gold Shovel Award for excellence in economic development and job creation, according to the governor’s office of business and economic development ( GO-Biz ). The Golden State has led the nation in total job creation for two straight years. In 2015, California created more jobs than Florida and Texas combined, and California’s unemployment rate is at the lowest point in nine years. So far in 2016, GO-Biz has been in communication with an increasing number of companies interested in relocating to California. In January, the tech company Flippbox announced it was moving its headquarters from Florida to Sacramento, CA. In April, Cerebain Biotech announced it was moving its headquarters and medical device manufacturing operation from Texas to Costa Mesa, CA and Florida-based virtual reality start-up Magic Leap is expanding to California and creating approximately 140 jobs in the Silicon Valley, thanks in part to a California Competes tax credit from GO-Biz. Along with that Silicon Valley economic development and jobs creation theme, developer SteelWave (formerly Legacy Partners Commercial ) and its partner USAA Real Estate Company recently celebrated the groundbreaking of Phase II of America Center . The completion of Phase II will add two six-story office buildings, an amenity center and parking structure, bringing the project to a total of approximately 885,000 square feet. Upon the completion of Phase III, this prominent view property will ultimately offer approximately 1.1 million square feet of premium class-A LEED Gold-certified office space to Silicon Valley. “The central Silicon Valley location, magnificent views of the San Francisco Bay, and high-tech buildings and amenities make America Center a compelling property,” said Steve Dunn , senior managing director of SteelWave. “We are excited to celebrate this groundbreaking and introduce this new large leasing opportunity to Silicon Valley’s corporate and technology users.” Located off Highway 101 at the junction of Highway 237 and Great America Parkway in San Jose, America Center is adjacent to the 175-room Aloft Hotel , and is surrounded by a 30-acre open space preserve, with access to public jogging and bicycle paths. Levi’s Stadium and a vast selection of restaurants, hotels and recreation facilities are only minutes away. “America Center is in the right place at the right time,” said Phil Mahoney , executive managing director of Newmark Cornish & Carey , who is marketing the property for lease together with Newmark Cornish & Carey executive managing director, Randy Gabrielson . “Physically, the property is located in a high-growth market bordering North San Jose and North Santa Clara, which is where southern-migrating tenants want to be. These highly-sought-after markets are supply constrained with extremely limited large block availabilities. The expansion of America Center is timely: it is poised to capture the next Silicon Valley technology titan seeking new, state-of-the-art headquarters space.” America Center Phase II will feature a fitness center, café and roof deck with putting green, and provide tenants with outdoor amenities including a basketball court, volleyball court, presentation theater and collaborative meeting areas. Dunn tells GlobeSt.com: “By incorporating cutting-edge building design and products, and hospitality- quality amenities, we are developing a one-of-a-kind property that speaks to the desires of tech tenants of today. America Center II will be entirely faced in the single largest installation of View Dynamic Glass in the US—the electrochromatic glass automatically tints and adjusts throughout the day to optimize the indoor climate and outside view. The beautiful amenity-building roof deck with 360 degree views will include a putting green and collaborative lounge areas. We are confident the active areas will be large draws as well.” Completed in 2009, America Center’s Phase I is 88% leased and serves as the headquarters location for high-tech corporations. Polycom Inc. occupies the entirety of 6001 America Center Dr. and Flextronics International Ltd. occupies approximately 175,000 square feet at 6201 America Center Dr.