Blackstart Digital Buys Former IBM Campus in San Jose Hills
An affiliate of Blackstart Digital has acquired the former IBM campus in San Jose's hills for an undisclosed price. The company plans to put the property 'back to work' after purchasing it before the end of the year.
The campus, situated at 650 Harry Road, spans 35 acres and comprises seven buildings with over 500,000 square feet of space. Blackstart Digital envisions transforming this site into a modern tech hub that honors its legacy as an IBM research center.
The San Jose City Council rezoned the property in August, voting 9-2 to allow for industrial park zoning and open space zoning in the surrounding area. Residents had raised concerns about the plans, but Blackstart Digital assured them that they have no intention of developing the adjacent open space, which covers over 500 acres.
The company aims to create construction jobs through renovation work and long-term positions in research and incubator centers. A functioning research center could also generate business for local shops, restaurants, hotels, and service providers, as well as produce additional tax revenue for the city.