W
estbank and Urban Community have unveiled new plans for three 30-story housing towers in Downtown San Jose's SoFa District. The Canada- and locally based developers have replaced a previous proposal to build two 10-story office buildings with over 1 million square feet of space. Instead, the revised plan features 1,147 homes, including rental apartments or condominiums, atop shops and restaurants.

    The project, designed by Steinberg Hart, includes three high-rise towers with balconies containing trees and shrubs. The housing would be built above a ground-floor courtyard, gym, and retail space. A three-story office building at the site would be demolished to make way for the new development.

    Westbank has been shifting its focus from offices to residential projects in Downtown San Jose. In August, the developer traded an approved plan for a 14-story office building for an 18-story residential tower. Westbank also drew revised plans to build a 21-story tower with 768 apartments at another site.

    The company's pivot from offices to homes comes as the office market collapses due to remote work trends. However, Westbank has left the option of building two 20-story office and retail towers on the table. The residential project is expected to be built near South First and East San Carlos streets in the heart of the SoFa District.