Big Changes Ahead Near The Axis HighRise

What the New 51 Notre Dame Project Means for Buyers and Sellers

   If you live in or are considering buying or selling at Axis highrise in downtown San Jose, there's some important development news that may affect you, especially if your unit is on the 13th floor or above with north-facing views.

   A nearby development site at 51 Notre Dame Avenue previously called "The Carlysle", just across the street from Axis, is back on the market. Originally approved as a 21-story tower with 290 residential units and five floors of office space, the vision for this project has been dramatically scaled back. The new proposal reimagines the project as a mid-rise luxury apartment building with roughly half the number of units and a design that's significantly shorter in height.

 

What’s Changing?

The new concept drops the high-rise format altogether in favor of a mid-rise mixed-use development. This re-envisioned building is designed to feature high-end amenities like:

• A rooftop penthouse lounge
• Swimming pool and outdoor lounge area
• 8th-floor roof deck
• Ground-floor fitness center
• Residential and retail lobbies
• 4,700 sq ft of ground-floor retail space

 

   While this marks a major departure from the original high-rise concept, it could be a welcome change for current Axis residents concerned about losing north-facing views. A shorter structure could preserve more skyline visibility and privacy, especially for those living in units on floors 13 and above.

Why It Matters to Axis Owners & Future Buyers

   For sellers at The Axis, this news could provide a selling point for potential buyers worried about future construction impacts. The new mid-rise concept may mean less visual obstruction, reduced construction noise, and a more boutique-scale neighbor instead of a towering structure.

   For buyers, this is a moment to seriously consider north-facing units that may now retain their views for the foreseeable future, an important factor in downtown high-rise living. Plus, with downtown San Jose continuing to attract new investment and development, owning in a well-established building like Axis becomes even more appealing.

   While the property at 51 Notre Dame has faced its share of financial hurdles, including a loan default notice (since rescinded) it’s currently listed for $12.5 million, well below its appraised value of $35.7 million just a year ago. The seller has already lined up a $10 million loan with favorable terms for a potential buyer, signaling that change could be on the horizon sooner rather than later.

   We’ll be keeping a close eye on how this plays out. In the meantime, if you’re considering buying or selling a unit at Axis, now is a strategic time to explore your options with this shifting development landscape in mind.