Nearly 700 students are calling Spartan Village on the Paseo (SVP) home this fall, less than a year after the announcement of a unique student housing concept that positions San José State as a national model for urban residential living.

What was once the south tower of the Signia by Hilton San José hotel complex has been converted into 679 beds of student housing, as well as a dining commons, a fitness center, an e-sports/gaming space, study lounges, and a skybridge providing views of the Paseo de San Antonio and the Plaza de Cesar Chavez. The agreement for SJSU to lease the building from Throckmorton Partners was finalized in November 2023 and students moved into the building in August 2024.

“The work required to open Spartan Village on the Paseo for our students was herculean and I want to express my deep gratitude to the leaders, staff and workers who worked around the clock to make it possible, and to the elected officials who paved the path for us to open this building on time,” said SJSU President Cynthia Teniente-Matson. “We are offering our students a state-of-the-art residential experience, filling a critical need for affordable housing and injecting downtown San José with vibrancy and energy. Every Spartan should be incredibly proud of this moment.”

SVP is the Bay Area’s largest post-pandemic conversion of a downtown commercial property to residential housing. In its first year, residency was at full capacity, with students excited by the chance to= to live in SJSU-owned housing in downtown San José and still be close to campus.

“It’s pretty much amazing,” said freshman Angela Makihele. “The rooms are nice and spacious and the amenities are great.”