We're excited by the grand opening of Hillbrook School's Moir Building, which joins the renovated Armory Building (also an ABA project) to form Hillbrook School's San José campus and express its "City as Classroom" pedagogical vision. Students, faculty, and members of the community came together to cut the ribbon on August 22, 2025, and it was a pleasure to unveil the refreshed building to launch the new school year.
Built in 1893-1894, the Moir Building – also previously known as the Stratford Hotel and the St. James Hotel – is a local San José landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Where the Armory Building is focused on arts and athletics, the Moir offers students welcoming and contemporary spaces with a greater focus on STEM learning, all while preserving its charming Queen Anne and Romanesque Revival character.
Altogether, the completed renovation of both the Moir and Armory buildings represents more than the preservation of historic and culturally significant structures. It also plays an integral role in broader efforts to revitalize what has long been considered San José’s premier civic green space, St. James Park.
Congratulations to Hillbrook School - we're excited for what the future holds for students as they embark on an exciting journey in the city classroom!
#architecture #schools #design #historic #adaptivereuse #education
