Former Fry’s Electronics Headquarters Could Be Razed For Huge Tech Campus
The entrance to Fry’s Electronics in San Jose, California.
Blair Heagerty / SFGATEIt’s as if just yesterday we said our collective farewells to the Bay Area’s leading kitsch-meets-tech supermarket chain, the Rainforest Café of all retail businesses: Fry’s Electronics.
The company, founded in Sunnyvale by brothers John, Randy and David Fry in 1985, announced at the end of February that all 30 sites would shut down permanently. At the time, only four Fry’s were still in operation: in Concord, Fremont, San Jose and Sunnyvale.
Now, the entrance to the stone temple of the chain’s headquarters in San José may soon drop too, giving way to a huge tech campus, reports the Mercury News. The projected 1.92 million square foot office complex will consist of seven eight-story office towers measuring 135 feet high, and is expected to open in October 2023, according to city planning documents acquired by the publication.
The first of four construction phases will include the fitting out of the first two buildings as well as the demolition of the San Jose store, which once reported “”tribute to the first astronomers, the Mayans, with decorations by Chichen Itza. In keeping with the chain’s dedication to over-the-top themes and tacky decor for every storefront, the San Jose location is remembered for the palm trees that dot the shelves of printers and cables. The computer, as well as the sound of chirping birds, emanate from invisible speakers throughout the store and parking lot.
The proposal for the new development at 550 E. Brokaw St. is still awaiting city review while an environmental impact report is prepared. If approved, construction could take until 2031, according to planning documents.
Social media and newsletter producer Jasmine Garnett contributed to this report.
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