Ever since in a parking lot in downtown San Jose in 2021, it’s been a point of curiosity for passersby. What was it? An event space or maybe a skateboard park? That it was locked behind chain-link fencing and rarely open to the public only amped up the mystery.

Canadian-based developer Westbank installed a towering art sculpture

Now, we have an answer: It’s the trippiest roller rink in the West.

Welcome to Unzipped Gardens Roller Rink and Beer Garden, a temporary activation for the venue that’ll be open weekends starting this Friday and running through Memorial Day. Visitors can rent skates, enjoy brews and food-truck bites or just take in the scene. There’ll be music — mostly provided by DJs but sometimes by live bands — and a dedicated selfie-spot.

Best of all, the chain-link fences will be coming down soon — replaced by a permanent fence that’s certainly a more elegant way to keep the installation safe.

Rick Garcia, the South Bay manager for event producer Non Plus Ultra, says the goal has been to create a community hub that adds to the vibe on South First Street. “If we spread that foot traffic to other businesses, it’s a win-win,” Garcia said. “We want to really celebrate the SoFA district.”

The interior of the art installation at Unzipped Gardens, with a patterned surface that will eventually be open to roller skaters. The temporary roller rink and beer garden in downtown San Jose will be open from Feb. 7, 2025 through Memorial Day weekend. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Area News Group) 

That should be good news for places like Anno Domini gallery, the popular Nirvana Soul cafe, SoFA Market and even venerable Original Joe’s.

By the way, the name stems from the installation’s title, or at least one of them. Originally designed by the Bjarke Ingels Group for the Serpentine Galleries in London, it’s been known as the Serpentine Pavilion, Unzipped (when it was in Toronto) and the Unzipped Pavilion and Unzipped Wall in San Jose. It’s made of more than 1,800 stacked fiberglass frames, with a cavern-like space in the middle. It’s been the centerpiece of events for Cinequest, San Jose Jazz and the Urban Vibrancy Institute’s SoFA district block party.