California Construction News staff writer
Construction is underway on La Placita, a long‑vacant 28,000‑sq. ft. property across from the Mexican Heritage Plaza, signaling a major milestone in the revitalization of East San José’s Mayfair neighborhood.
The project broke ground in late January, drawing community leaders, nonprofit partners and residents to mark the start of construction.
TOPA Architecture, a San José–based design firm, provided the conceptual architectural design for La Placita, incorporating community input and cultural elements into the project vision. TOPA’s work emphasizes a design that reflects local culture and creates welcoming, human‑scaled spaces that support performance, gathering and wellness functions.
While planning, funding and architectural leadership have been shared publicly, the general contractor or lead construction firm has not yet been officially announced in project communications.
La Placita is expected to open in early 2027, offering new cultural infrastructure and essential services in a historically underserved part of the city. Local officials and nonprofit partners view the project as a catalyst for economic activity, community engagement and cultural programming along the Alum Rock Avenue corridor.
