New San Jose hotel is eyed near future soccer complex, cricket pitch
SAN JOSE — A new and modern hotel with a high-profile brand could sprout in a San Jose industrial district a short distance from potential future cricket and soccer facilities, documents on file with city planners show.
Fairfield Inn & Suites would be the brand of the new hotel, which would rise at 1669 Monterey Highway in San Jose, a few blocks away from the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds.
The economic malaise that infected the lodging industry in the Bay Area and worldwide continues to sicken some hotel markets.
But a hotel at this location, the high-profile nature of the Fairfield Inn brand, the property owner’s lodging experience and potential future sports proposals in the vicinity means that the project can make sense, in the view of Erik Schoennauer, a land-use consultant for the project’s developer.
“The project applicants are long-time owners of this property and they are in the hotel business,” Schoennauer said. “Redeveloping this with a modern building, a modern hotel brand is right in their wheelhouse.” Fairfield Inn & Suites is one of Marriott’s brands.
The site is currently the location of the Casa Linda motel. The development team is led by hotel owner and operator Dhaval Panchal and an affiliate, Casa Linda LLC.
“This is an important project to improve the aesthetics and vitality of the Monterey Corridor,” Schoennauer said.
The project would demolish the existing motel to clear the way for the new Fairfield Inn & Suites.
It’s expected that the hotel will include plenty of amenities, according to a document on file with city planners.
“The building will include an outdoor pool, jacuzzi, fitness center, bocce ball court, rooftop deck and restaurant area,” the city document states. “The rooftop deck would include an outdoor yoga area, rooftop bar and a landscaped area.”
The project is still being reviewed by San Jose city officials. The construction timeline for the new hotel wasn’t immediately known.
A number of new sports-related uses are in the works.
Plus, the San Jose Barracuda, the American Hockey League affiliate of the San Jose Sharks, plays its home games at nearby Tech CU Arena.
“New hotels will be needed to support the planned soccer complex, cricket pitch, and other activities at the nearby Santa Clara County Fairgrounds,” Schoennauer said.