Tech companies agree to big leases in north San Jose office buildings

SAN JOSE — Two tech companies have signed leases for big office buildings in north San Jose, providing a counterpoint to uncertainties over a return to the workplace in the Bay Area.

Comet Technologies and Gener8, in separate transactions, have leased large office and research buildings that are part of the Montague Crossing tech campus at the corner of East Trimble Road and Junction Avenue in San Jose, according to public documents and Cushman & Wakefield commercial real estate brokers.

The north San Jose leasing deals suggest that certain types of office buildings such as those that can also accommodate research activities are still drawing the interest of tenants.

Comet Technologies leased an office and research building totaling 91,000 square feet at 541 E. Trimble Road. A building that size could potentially accommodate 400 to 500 workers.

Gener8 leased an 84,200-square-foot office and research building at 2560 Junction Ave. A building of this size might be able to accommodate 370 to 470 employees.

Cushman & Wakefield commercial real estate brokers Brandon Bain, Todd Beatty and Scott Dever arranged both leasing agreements. Rockford Capital and Four Corners Properties own the campus.

“Research and development office buildings in north San Jose are still attracting tenant interest. Pure office buildings, less so,” said David Sandlin, executive vice president with Colliers, a commercial real estate firm.

Comet Technologies makes components, devices and software systems that can be used to help manufacture microchips and electronic devices, as well as to test parts used in the automotive, aerospace and security industries.

Gener8 provides design, engineering and manufacturing services for an array of companies, including those that produce medical devices and other tech equipment.

Both of these leases leave the companies poised to expand their local operations.

Comet Technologies is relocating from a San Jose building that totals 27,500 square feet. Gener8 will vacate a Sunnyvale building that totals 30,700 square feet.

“You find tenants that have to still do work in person and can’t easily work remotely are very interested in these kinds of buildings,” Sandlin said, referring to sites that combine office spaces with research and light manufacturing capabilities.