Downtown's venerable Foreman & Clark building has endured multiple false starts over the past several years, as a previous property owner vascillated between plans to convert the building into either apartments or a hotel.
The indecisive landlord eventually parted ways with the former department store at 7th and Hill Streets in 2016, allowing real estate firm Bonnis Properties to purchase the 13-story structure. The Canadian developer filed updated plans to convert the upper floors of the building into residential units this past October.
Although the project will still need to negotiate the city approvals process prior to starting construction, Bonnis is nonetheless moving ahead with prep work for the adaptive reuse project.
Earlier this month, crews commenced with interior demolition work at the 13-story building. A permit filing with the Department of Building and Safety indicates that work will be limited to the removal of non-structural elements, including partition walls, restrooms, non-accessible stairs and escalators.
Built in 1929, the Foreman & Clark Building once served as the headquarters and flagship location of its namesake department store chain. The building was eventually vacated in 1959, and was subsequently folded into the Jewelry District.
