SAN JOSE, CA—Joie de Vivre Hospitality will operate the historic Montgomery Hotel in downtown San Jose. The San Francisco-based hotel company will manage both the restaurant and the hotel. Following a restoration set to begin later this year, the Montgomery Hotel will become of Joie de Vivre`s portfolio which includes 21 boutique hotels and the operation of several restaurants and health spas in northern California.

The four-story historic hotel was originally built in 1911. It served as a downtown hotel until 1962 when it was converted to residential use. In 1982 the San Jose Redevelopment Agency bought the land and the building. In 1999, spurred by the interest of San Jose`s new mayor, Gonzales, the SJRA renewed its efforts to save the property, which had fallen into disrepair and was non-operational. In January 2000 the SJRA relocated the hotel 186 feet south to both save it and make way for The Fairmont San Jose`s new tower. Now the hotel will undergo a complete historic renovation starting in November 2002 to restore as one of the few boutique hotels in the Silicon Valley. The SJRA selected DivcoWest properties to handle the restoration, which is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2004.

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