Roma Bakery
Approximate location: the National Park Service places this pin arbitrarily within the property, not at a surveyed point (stated accuracy ±12 m).
Why it's listed
Roma Bakery is a two-story wood commercial building at 655 Almaden Avenue in San Jose, completed in 1911. Vittorio Pera, a builder trained in Italy, constructed it for his cousin Rizieri Pera, who had started a combined bakery and grocery business in 1907. The hipped roof, central dormer, wood modillions and dentil bands reflect Colonial Revival design, while a shingled corner turret recalls the Queen Anne style. The original diagonal corner entrance beneath the turret has been closed off, though its three wood columns remain visible. A one-story front extension dates to 1911, and later additions, including a rear extension from 1976, match the original siding and paint. The business closed during the Second World War and reopened soon afterward, and a grandson of Rizieri managed it at the time of listing. The building was recognized for its mix of architectural styles, its survival as a family-run bakery, and its rarity as a wood commercial structure downtown.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is significant for an unusual blend of Colonial Revival and Queen Anne elements, including a corner turret. It is also one of the last family-run bakeries in the San Jose area and one of few surviving wood commercial structures downtown.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 82002267, listed January 21, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 655 Almaden Ave., San Jose |
|---|---|
| County | Santa Clara County |
| Listed | January 21, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82002267 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- |
| Architect / builder | Vittorio Pera |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival with Queen Anne elements |
| Areas of significance | Commerce |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still operating as a bakery and undergoing rehabilitation at the time of nomination; condition rated good and altered. |
| Acreage | 0.3 |
| Coordinates | 37.34256, -121.88624 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 82002267.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q123352683
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.