Tall & Urban News

San Jose State University (SJSU) has transformed a historic downtown San Jose hotel into student dormitories, unveiling Spartan Village on the Paseo. The project, approved less than a year ago, involved converting the south tower of the Signia by Hilton—formerly the Fairmont—into housing for 700 undergraduate students. This 13-story building, with 11 residential levels, was repurposed in just four months, a speed and scope unprecedented for the university.

The luxury hotel-turned-dormitory includes features like marble bathrooms, reflecting its previous use as a hotel. The project represents one of the region's largest post-pandemic conversions from commercial to residential space.

At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Assemblymember Ash Kalra highlighted the project as a model for addressing housing needs in high-cost areas, especially for SJSU, which has struggled with high student homelessness rates. State Senator David Cortese also praised the project, emphasizing its unique integration of student housing within an urban environment.

Spartan Village includes 124 affordable beds for students in need. The first group of students was set to move in on Friday, 16 August, offering them the opportunity to experience urban living within a safe campus setting.

Learn more at ABC 7