Architecture & History
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San Jose Museum of Art
Number 5 in the Studio San Jose Downtown Series
The San Jose Museum of Art is housed in one of the most historically significant buildings in San Jose. Originally the Post Office building, the Romanesque structure was built in 1895 from golden sandstone and features solid oak floors, gracefully arched windows and beautifully detailed moldings.
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Faber's Cyclery
Number 6 in the Studio San Jose Downtown Series
An operating bicycle store since 1912, Faber's Cyclery on North First Street is the oldest bicycle store in San Jose.
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Bella Mia By Night
Number 8 in the Studio San Jose Downtown Series
Located on Second Street, Bella Mia occupies a brick building built in 1870. The beautiful wooden staircase winds past an exhibition kitchen. Bella Mia has become a San Jose landmark.
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Hotel Montgomery
Number 10 in the Studio San Jose Downtown Series
When it opened in 1911, Hotel Montgomery offered the most modern conveniences of the time, including in-room plumbing, a switchboard with in-room telephones, electric elevators and steam heat. It was the first hotel in San Jose to have electric fixtures and private baths. In 2000 the Hotel Montgomery was moved 186 feet south along First Street to make room for the Fairmont Hotel Annex.
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California Theatre
Number 12 in the Studio San Jose Downtown Series
The original building was designed in 1927 by architects Weeks and Day (architects of the Sainte Claire Hotel, Oakland's Fox Theatre, and San Francisco's Mark Hopkins Hotel). Said to be ‘the finest theater in California' on its opening day, it is one of the best preserved examples of late 1920's motion picture houses in the country. Vacant for 30 years, the historic California Theatre reopened its doors to reign as the historic crown jewel of Downtown San Jose theatres.