American Housing Co. Proposes 368-Unit Affordable Tower in Downtown San Jose

American Housing Co., a subsidiary of Oakland-based development firm oWow, has submitted a new proposal for a 0.5-acre site located at 439-451 South 4th Street in San Jose. The plan outlines a 25-story, 261-foot tower intended to include an estimated 368 affordable, below-market-rate apartments, along with four manager's residences. This represents a substantial increase in unit count compared to previous plans approved for the site in 2024 under former property owner Nelly Amas.

The new proposal aims to revive a similarly scaled building, though specific designs and specifications from oWow's in-house architectural team are yet to be released. Previous designs for the site were produced by Salvatore Caruso Design Corp. The location is considered ideal for high-density construction due to its close proximity to downtown San Jose's business district, San Jose State University, and major transportation access.

Despite its strategic position, past project proposals for this site have encountered difficulties in moving forward even after receiving necessary city approvals. Developers and housing advocates are now hopeful that this latest initiative will successfully deliver much-needed affordable housing to the San Jose market.