When you step into the new Spartan Village on the Paseo in San Jose, it’s hard to remember that the building used to be a hotel.
“These are all dining services for the residents. So you have a nice cafe here. Lots of different seating options,” said Traci Ferdolage, an administrator at San Jose State University.
The 13-story building has been completely renovated into a swanky new dormitory with everything from a restaurant to a fitness center and even a games room.
“And all these things can be integrated so that competitions can be organised,” Ferdolage said.
The only remains of the old Fairmont Hotel are small plaques on some of the dormitories, which once served as hotel suites.
“We thought it would be a nice connection to the history of the building. But this is a suite that has been furnished,” Ferdolage said.
Nearly 700 students, including second-year student Angela Makihele, are lucky enough to be the building’s first residents.
“I think this one personally beats all the dorms. The amenities they have and the offerings for the school year, and also the style of the room, it’s a hotel room so it’s pretty awesome, and then everything they offer is just so awesome compared to other dorms,” Makihele said.
It’s not just students and university officials who are excited about this new dormitory. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan says the city itself will benefit greatly from having these students in the heart of downtown.
“700 students, Spartans, our future leaders, living, learning and working here downtown, are making downtown more vibrant,” said Mayor Mahan.
That’s exactly what students like Makihele plan to do.
“I love going downtown. I love eating downtown, so it’s just great,” she said.
