Golden Nail winner revitalizes downtown corner

State Meat Market building lauded for contributing to downtown’s architectural landscape

December 15, 2006

SAN JOSE – The renovated State Meat Market at 142-150 E. Santa Clara St., now home to the Fourth Street Pizza Co., caught the eyes of the San Jose Downtown Association, which awarded it with a Golden Nail for its outstanding contribution to the look and character of downtown.

“This is a great honor,” said architect Mark Sandoval, who oversaw the building’s rehabilitation. “The building adds new vitality to an important area of downtown.”

The landmark building – and the historic “State Market” sign on the Fourth Street side – were preserved using a Façade Improvement Program grant from the San Jose Redevelopment Agency. Besides saving the original transom windows, the outside of the building received stucco repair work and new exterior tile. Sandoval focused on designing new storefronts for the building owned by Sue Connelly. New recessed entryways, doors, signs and anti-graffiti film on the windows were part of the renovation.

The building was originally designed by Frank D. Wolfe and was constructed between 1913-1915. Named for its proximity to the state college, the State Meat Market was the principal ground-floor tenant in the building from 1934 into the 1980s. The San Jose location was the first of a chain of 477 markets opened outside of San Francisco by the Kwok-Low family.

The ground floor was originally used as a bicycle shop, creamery and print shop before serving as a market and optometry office. The second floor, originally divided into apartments, is still used for housing.

Each year, the Downtown Association’s Beautification, Historic Preservation and Architectural Design (BHAD) Committee is responsible for selecting the buildings to be honored. In the 10-year history of the Golden Nail Awards, 24 buildings have been recognized.

The Downtown Association is a non-profit organization representing business and property owners to enhance the vitality and livability of downtown.

Past Golden Nail Award recipients

2006 – State Meat Market (142-150 E. Santa Clara)
2005 - S&H Green Stamps Redemption Center (96 N. Second)
2005 - San Jose Building and Loan Association (81 W. Santa Clara)
2004 - California Theatre (345 S. First)
2004 - Hotel Montgomery (211 S. First)
2003 – River Street Gardens (Julian at Hwy. 87)
2003 - Golden Nail founder Judy Stabile
2002 – Jim Fox for Hotel deAnza, Dohrmann building (335 S. First), New Century Building (17-25 E. Santa Clara) and Jose Theater (62 S. Second)
2002 - Germania Hall (261 N. Second)
2001 – Metropole (35 S. Market)
2001 - First Unitarian Church (160 S. Third)
2000 – Jim-Salata for Garden City Construction (618 S. First)
2000 - Barry Swenson for Letitia Building (66-72 S. First) and Security Building (84 S. First)
1999 – AP Stump’s-Mason Lefranc building (163 W. Santa Clara)
1999 - DeCarolis Design and Marketing (476 S. First)
1999 - Mac’s Club (39 Post)
1998 – Waves Smokehouse and Saloon (65 Post)
1998 - The Two Virgins (37 S. First)
1997- Stratta Grill & Bar (71 E. San Fernando)
1997 - Workingman’s Emporium (260 N. First)
1997 - Agenda Restaurant & Lounge (399 S. First)

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