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A new housing development designed by will bring high-end living to the Santana Row district 鈥� an area known for its lavish shopping boutiques 鈥� in San Jose, Calif.

鈥淚t鈥檚 its own beast down there in Santana Row,鈥� said John Schupp, Ankrom Moisan project designer. 鈥淚t鈥檚 all high-end retail, like Gucci. And (the development) will be quite a few notches above most apartment complexes in San Jose.鈥�

Schupp said the $55 million, 215-unit Serrano Blocks will 鈥渃haracterize a resort hotel鈥� because of features including a pool, a winery, a yoga center and a business conference center. Additionally, each tenant will have personal concierge service and be able to park in a 300-stall parking garage.

The design of the complex was inspired by the geology of the San Jose region, with its shifting tectonic plates and vertical rock outcroppings. Two 鈥済em-like鈥� features 鈥� the leasing office and a stand-alone series of townhouses that front the site鈥檚 main residential street 鈥� stick out while being framed by the rest of the development.

鈥淭he hardest part was putting in the mixture of unit types,鈥� Schupp said. 鈥淲e had to make sure each unit had the proper amenity space.鈥�

Three levels of units will be offered: standard, premium and super premium. According to Schupp, rent for the super premium units 鈥� townhouses 鈥� will be around $7,000 a month.

鈥淭he development will command premium dollars 鈥� that鈥檚 just the nature of the area it鈥檚 in,鈥� he said.

Serrano Blocks, scheduled to be ready in the second half of 2013, represents the second phase of residential development at Santana Row. Construction began on the first phase 鈥� a 400-unit 鈥淢editerranean-style鈥� complex 鈥� last month. Both developments are being built for Maryland-based Federal Realty Investment Trust. 鈥� Reed Jackson

鈥淥n the Boards鈥� is a weekly feature that spotlights local firms鈥� best design work. Submissions from architectural and engineering firms are encouraged. Please call 503-802-7240 or email [email protected].