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Former beauty college transforms into a realty
Coldwell Banker plans to move next month
By Kate Carter
A Willow Glen office building is being remodeled to house its first tenant in five years.
Construction began in May on the empty building at 1045 Willow St., judged by many to be an eyesore, that used to house a beauticians' college. Coldwell Banker realty's main Northern California headquarters and 65 of its agents will move in by July 1.
Building owner Scott Kuschel, who was not the owner when the school was there, said he is paying for the building's new exterior paint and landscaping. Coldwell Banker, which signed the building lease several months ago, is covering the costs of converting the building's interior into offices and cubicles, he said.
Mike Sibilia, managing broker at Coldwell Banker, said the occupants of the 12-year-old office, formerly a Cornish and Carey office bought by Coldwell Banker two years ago, are pleased to move to Willow Glen from Greylands Business Park in West San Jose.
"We're looking forward to getting a downtown feel," he said. "It'll be a nice addition to that street."
Sibilia said the bank is moving to establish the realty office in a neighborhood area.
"Willow Glen has always been known as a great community, a great place to raise a family," he said. "We hope to be identified with a small neighborhood community."
The office has plans to increase its number of agents, Sibilia said, but that not all of them will work out of the Willow Glen office. The 5,400-square-foot, one-story building has 23 on-site parking spaces and four street-side spots, Kuschel said. That amount is sufficient according to the city's code, planner Rob Eastwood said. Sibilia said the parking would be enough for the office agents, because many of them use the office only sporadically.
Kuschel said the building was empty, because family problems occupied most of his attention.
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
