In a recent government meeting, plans were unveiled for the conversion of a historic building, originally constructed in 1928 as one of the first Hilton hotels in the United States, into residential apartments. The upper five floors of the structure will be transformed from office space into 35 apartments, with seven units per floor, effectively returning the building to a configuration reminiscent of its early days.

The project aims to capitalize on the building's advantageous layout, which features good window frontage on all sides and a shallow design conducive to residential living. The developers expressed enthusiasm about the potential to enhance downtown living, particularly in light of nearby developments such as the Tech Garden, which is expected to attract further investment to the area.

The contractor for the project, VIP Structures, was officially signed on, and they are recognized for their established presence and quality work in the region. The developers are currently navigating the city permitting process and are committed to adhering to local policies, including setting aside 10% of the units for rent-restricted housing aimed at fixed-income residents.

The meeting also included discussions about the project's alignment with local policies regarding minority- and women-owned business enterprise (MWBE) commitments and the inclusion of city residents in the construction workforce. The council moved to establish a public hearing for the project, which is set to take place in July, signaling a step forward in the development process.