This week’s walk started along Vera Avenue (again) — but not at 112 Vera. I did go by that development (the seven-story modular apartment building under construction just off El Camino Real), but to my surprise the large yellow crane was gone, the street had been cleaned up, and the workers were largely absent. Since then I’ve noticed workers erecting scaffolding on the portions of the building that are currently in place, so the project has not gone entirely quiet, thank goodness. But perhaps the remaining modules were not ready, and the developer decided to push ahead with other tasks while waiting for them to be completed and delivered to the site. Hopefully I’ll be able to talk to one of the crew members and find out just what is going on.

One block down from 112 Vera, I was pleased to see that the five-unit townhouse development at 239 Vera Ave. seems pretty buttoned-up, and thus these townhomes will likely go onto the market soon.

This particular development seems an excellent use of what was an unusually deep lot that previously contained a three-bedroom, two-bath single-family home.

Across El Camino Real, I was interested to note that there is activity on one of the two empty ELCO Yards parcels where the apartment buildings are to be constructed (the activity is taking place on the one between Lathrop and Main, not the one out on El Camino Real):

A backhoe has been digging what appear to be some exploratory holes in the ground. As well, there is a construction office trailer now on site, along with a row of porta-potties:

Building permits for the two apartment buildings do not appear to have been issued as yet, but this work is likely either to locate utilities or to do soil testing or some such. In either case, it indicates to me that issuance of the permits is probably nigh, and major construction will soon follow. Note the large steel beams in the two photos: those may be in anticipation of the large hole that will need to be dug on the site for the two-level subterranean parking garage that will lie beneath the seven-story, 249-unit apartment building that will be built on this particular lot (the other lot will also experience something similar).

Wondering about this place?

Located at the corner of El Camino Real and Madison Avenue, the signs on the building sprang up seemingly overnight. No one actually seems to know what this business will be, although it certainly appears destined to be a retail establishment of some sort. Everyone I’ve asked has just guessed, and they all presume it’ll be a smoke shop or something along those lines. Certainly, the interior gives that kind of vibe:

But for now, the real question is not what, but if: that sign and some of the work done to the interior of this little building were apparently done without the proper permits. The city issued a “stop work” order citing “Tenant improvements and sign installation in progress without permits, plans, inspections or City approval.” So unless and until the folks behind this new venture secure the needed permissions from the city, this business — whatever it turns out to be — is not going to happen.

Oddly, the signs on the building at 1180 Main Street have changed. Previously they indicated that the building is home to the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI). Now, the signs simply carry the name and logo of bi[o]hub, a company that aims to “cure or prevent all disease.”

Biohub was founded by Dr. Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg, and apparently sits beneath the umbrella of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. So this may simply be an indication that most of the work going on in the building these days is in service of Biohub, or perhaps Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan are hoping to be a bit less visible here. In any case, some time ago I read that the medical research arm of CZI — which appears to be Biohub — had signed a lease on a chunk of the ELCO Yards office space. While on the site this week I noticed that two of the development’s four buildings — the one out on El Camino and the one on Main Street between Beech and Cedar — appear to be having their interiors fitted out for a tenant. Likely, that’ll be Biohub and/or Chan Zuckerberg.

Along Broadway, down close to Woodside Road, I was delighted to learn that the new sidewalk along Broadway that had been constructed as part of the Broadway Village development is finally open and available to walk on:

Naturally I walked along it down to Woodside Road. And as I passed, I took the opportunity to peek into the retail spaces, all of which are currently empty. Here’s a glimpse into the largest of them:

This particular space is L-shaped; it extends to the right, beyond the edge of the photograph. I have yet to hear whether any tenants have been signed for these spaces, but hopefully we’ll see somebody moving in soon…

Pretty much the only remaining work at Broadway Village, at least for now, is taking place outside, alongside this new building. There is to be a wide public walkway extending from Broadway back to Bay Road, separating the three new apartment buildings from the rest of the property — which eventually should be home to three large office buildings. Along the walkway should be some park-like features: benches, umbrella tables, a water feature (perhaps), and planters. The walkway itself seems mostly in place (although it is not yet accessible) and trees and plants are being installed:

Here is what it looks like from Bay Road:

I’m looking forward to being able to enjoy this new privately owned, but publicly accessible, space.

Last week I mentioned that I’d heard that the former home of Das BierHauz (on Theatre Way) is rapidly being switched over to a new Korean restaurant called Gangsan Korean Cuisine. This week I went by, and not only is it indeed true, it seems to be happening quickly: they are trying to open sometime this month. Whether or not Gangsan meets its self-imposed deadline, the signs are up, and the German flag has been replaced with a Korean one:

As well, there are indeed some menus posted on the doors. This isn’t the greatest picture (sorry for the glare, for one thing), but if you click it you can enlarge it and probably read at least some of what will be on offer:

I should note that this isn’t necessarily a complete menu: there was a longer one posted in a window that I didn’t manage to get a good photo of. And of course I didn’t notice the QR codes at the top of the menu that likely would have given me a link. But there is now a preliminary Yelp listing, and that at least includes the following description:

At Gangsan Korean Restaurant, we are dedicated to bringing you the ultimate Korean comfort food experience. We offers a truly authentic taste of Korea, featuring high-quality ingredients, traditional family recipes, and exceptional hospitality. we specialize in classic Korean favorite, including Bibimbap, Braised short ribs (Galbijjim), Ox bone soup, Soft tofu soup, Mandu, Kalguksu – K noodle soup, etc. come experience the warmth of Korean comfort food at Gangsan!

So if that appeals to you, or if you are just curious, it will hopefully be open soon.

Finally, a couple of weeks ago I mentioned that the old Sizzler building along Veterans Boulevard was becoming “Reef Zaman,” a Mediterranean restaurant. Just this week the Redwood City Pulse had an article that provided much more depth than I was able to provide, and it certainly sounds like it won’t be “just another Mediterranean restaurant.” After reading it, I am definitely intrigued, and plan to pay the place a visit once they’ve opened. Although Redwood City already sports a number of Mediterranean restaurants, if you enjoy that type of food, do consider putting this new place on your list.