February 15, 2008

A Stunning Contrast – Victorian Homes in Ultra Modern Silicon Valley

When most people think of Silicon Valley, the first image that comes to mind is chrome, glass and steel – along with modern high-tech buildings and Dilbert-like cubicles.  The last thing that comes to mind is turn-of-the-century remodeled Victorian homes.

Yet if you want to come home from your bleeding edge high tech job and live in a slower day and age, downtown San Jose has many beautifully restored Victorian homes to choose from. 

In today’s Craigslist, this gorgeous 4 bedroom 3 bath Victorian was featured:

san jose victorian A Stunning Contrast   Victorian Homes in Ultra Modern Silicon Valley

Originally designed by Wolfe and McKenzie in 1904, it has a fully finished basement and is walking distance to the downtown area.  It is located in the lovely historic Naglee Park area. 

Listed at $1.14M, it has a rear deck and spa, completely remodeled kitchen, and a two car garage as well.

The photos show that the owners have lovingly restored it – taking care of all external details. 

Another one, also located in historic Naglee Park, is offered at $879,915.  It features a garage that has been converted to a workshop, two bedrooms, and one bath with a large old-fashioned claw foot tub.   victorian A Stunning Contrast   Victorian Homes in Ultra Modern Silicon Valley

This one is a bit smaller, but also appears nicely detailed in the front and the yard looks like it would be low maintenance.

I can’t help thinking that it would look better with a few rose bushes around it, but the windows and columns are lovely.  

Many more Victorians in all stages of renovation can be found in the Naglee Park area.  Restoring a Victorian can be a fun -if a bit costly project for the whole family. 


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  • Suzanne

    Hmm...pretty interesting comments! It is a good thing that there are people who want to take care and preserve what already exists!San Jose is downtown and until we all participate in the investment in our core the "apple" will continue to rot! The most expensive areas around are all the "old" areas...Palo Alto, Los Gatos, Saratoga, and within these cities it is the areas with the old homes that maintain their intrinsic value.

  • mario

    beautiful homes, but the price is way out of my range. i would love to move into victorian, but im on a fixed income. my price is not over $100,000. any answers. from fresno ca

  • Also, I am happy to see that SJ residents are coming out to tell Lex that he is ALL WET! San Jose has changed, and in no way shape or form is a ghetto!!!!!!!

  • Thank you so much for sharing that Mark! I love that neighborhood, and may even buy into it myself.

  • Mark

    We've lived in Naglee Park neighborhood for 5 years now. We are raising young children (ages 4 & 6). This is an amazing neighborhood from so many standpoints. We can walk to wonderful downtown restaurants. We have a great group of neighbors with a real sense of community. There are lots of parents with children in the neighborhood too!

    Living in Naglee Park is real life and NOT some made up suburban artificial lifestyle. It is also a lot more environmentally friendly as we can walk so much and don't have to drive as often!

  • Marcus

    Lex is way wrong. This is a beautiful neighborhood with neighbors who help each other out. We restored a home in the neighborhood and never encountered any problems walking around at any hour night day or night.

    M formerly of S. 15th

  • Kirk

    Lex is wrong. Having seen the second house, it has been sold, and there are more than enough houses in this area that have sold in this price range. I doubt Lex has visited downtown SJ in a long time, finding the drive down from Shallow Alto a bit much, and parallel parking that hummer, what a nightmare!

  • t

    Obviously 'Lex' hasn't been downtown in what twenty or thirty years. A ghetto? The prices asked for these houses is not out of line with what people get. Naglee Park is one beautiful neighborhood where houses have personalities, streets have character, and neighbors have names. Beats the heck out of your 2 million dollar cookie cutter McMansions out in Almaden Valley.

    I suspect 'Lex' will never get it.

    t on 12th street

  • Brenda Keener

    Good one! Thanks for sharing!

  • Alicia

    A lovely victorian home in West San Jose - Cupertino is available. Check it out at www.870forestridgedrive.com

  • I disagree! San Jose USED to be a ghetto, but it has been vastly improved over the last 10 years. And you are right, the second home IS an Arts and Crafts type home - I apologize for the error.

  • lex

    As nice as the homes are, who wants to live in SJ downtown? San Jose downtown is ghetto, and is frightening to walk around at night. That home will not sell in this type of market.

  • Anon

    The second house is not Victorian. It's Arts & Crafts/Craftsman.

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