Deep Dive in 5: Spartan Village on the Paseo

Exterior of Spartan Village on the Paseo, the new home for Spartans in the heart of downtown San José. It will be open for students in August 2024. 

This August, San José State University will have a new student housing option available in the heart of downtown San José. Located at 170 S. Market Street, the former south tower of Signia by Hilton will be converted into housing for over 700 students. In this Deep Dive in 5, Eric Rollerson, executive director of University Housing Services, shares the latest on the new student housing project, known as “Spartan Village on the Paseo.”  

What makes Spartan Village on the Paseo unique from other student housing options at SJSU? 

Eric Rollerson (ER): Spartan Village on the Paseo gives students the unique opportunity to live in the heart of the downtown city center, where there are so many amazing things happening. The best part is it’s just a few blocks away from campus, so students can still feel that sense of integration with the San José State community. 

Another thing that sets Spartan Village on the Paseo apart from other housing options is that the units are large, spacious, and full of natural light, with amazing views of the valley. There is also a good deal of new construction happening, which will give students access to state-of-the-art amenities. 

What kinds of amenities can students expect? 

ER: Amenities will include on-site dining and a community kitchen open to all residents. With stoves, refrigerators and cooking supplies, students can prepare their own meals and snacks at any time. There will also be a meal plan component with fresh food available on-site every day. 

The renovated second floor will host a full suite of amenities, including a fitness center, a dual-purpose movie screening and video gaming room, study and meeting rooms, and a unique lounge in the “skybridge” which overlooks downtown. The planning team is hard at work ensuring all spaces are thoughtfully renovated to be modern, comforting and inviting for residents. 

There will be double, triple and quad rooms available, and all units will have a, full private bathroom. Mail and package services will also be available on the premises so students can receive items securely.

What is the benefit for students to have their housing embedded within the downtown San José area? 

ER: Students who live at Spartan Village on the Paseo will  have close access to San José’s museums including the Tech Museum of Innovation, the Children’s Discovery Museum and the San José Museum of Art. There are also special city events such as Music in the Park and Christmas in the Park at Plaza de Cesar Chavez. 

San José’s premiere outdoor ice skating rink, Downtown Ice, is also located close by, starting around Thanksgiving and running through wintertime. There’s also a large thriving farmers’ market in the vicinity. Not to mention there are so many shops and restaurants to choose from — over 100 small businesses within a 15 to 20 minute walk. 

Finally, the proximity to campus can’t be beat. The distance from this location to San José State’s  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library and other academic buildings is less than the distance between Campus Village and those buildings.

When will the Spartan Village on the Paseo be ready for students to move into? 

ER: It will be open for Fall 2024, so students can start moving in this August. The housing application opens up in March.   

How will Spartan Village on the Paseo be affordable to students?  

ER: We’re moving at lightning speed to deliver this project in time for August because we are deeply committed to providing affordable housing options for students. Around 100+ beds will be made available at rates that are lower than students currently find at other housing options on campus.

Instead of waiting for the construction of new housing like Campus Village 3 to provide more affordable beds, we’re building affordability right into this project — an already-constructed and soon-to-be renovated building. This way, we can be responsive to the urgent need of housing affordability in the quickest way possible.

Read the Project Overview and learn more about Spartan Village on the Paseo.