WORK BEGINS TO CONVERT SAN JOSE OFFICE TOWER TO HOUSING HIGHRISE

SAN JOSE — Wide-ranging work is underway to convert a San Jose office tower into a housing highrise, a project that could enable rentals of the future residences to begin sometime in 2025.

The project would convert the Bank of Italy historic office tower in downtown San Jose into a residential highrise with at least 100 apartments.

Interior of attic level in the Bank of Italy historic tower at 12 South First Street in downtown San Jose, concept. (Bjarke Ingels Group)

Outdoor dining and gathering areas on a terrace of the Bank of Italy historic tower at 12 South First Street in downtown San Jose, concept. (Bjarke Ingels Group)

Outdoor dining and gathering areas on a terrace of the Bank of Italy historic tower at 12 South First Street in downtown San Jose, concept. (Bjarke Ingels Group)

The conversion of the historic highrise at 12 South First Street is being undertaken by an alliance of Canada-based Westbank, a developer with a worldwide reach; and Urban Community, a San Jose-based real estate firm active in San Jose’s downtown district.

“It should take about 14 to 15 months to finish,” said Gary Dillabough, a principal executive with Urban Community, referring to the project length to accomplish the conversion and building upgrade. Dillabough made the comments in an interview during a block party to spur economic activity in downtown San Jose’s historic district, where the Bank of Italy tower is located.