It’s another sign of progress for downtown Fresno… the city's first skyscraper, the Helm Building, has a new owner.
Mayor Ashley Swearengin held a news conference to make the big announcement, which is positive news for the future of downtown Fresno.
The ten story building, which is located on the Fulton Mall, was built in 1914.
Mayor Swearengin said, “I'm so pleased to be standing here in front of Fresno's first skyscraper and I'm so pleased to announce that it has a new owner.”
The new owner is becoming a familiar face in downtown Fresno. He is Beverly Hills developer Sevak Khatchadourian. He and his brother also own the Pacific Southwest Building in downtown Fresno.
Khatchadourian said, “We're going to concentrate on the commercial aspect of it and leave the upstairs for the future to see exactly what the demand will be.”
Khatchadourian noted the Helm Building has “good bones”. The architect who designed the building, George Kelham, also designed the Palace Hotel in San Francisco.
Khatchadourian also made it clear he supports the mayors’ push to restore vehicle traffic to the Fulton Mall area. They are all focusing on, I think, to open up this road. I think traffic is needed here,” said Khatchadourian.
Khatchadourian says over time, malls in Oxnard, Pomona and Burbank have all thrived once traffic was restored and it’s something he, his brother and the mayor are all counting on.
Mayor Swearengin said, “…they are making incredible plans and making this building come back to life and in doing so, Sevak and his brother are really anchoring the future of Fresno's Fulton Mall corridor.”
Mayor Ashley Swearengin held a news conference to make the big announcement, which is positive news for the future of downtown Fresno.
The ten story building, which is located on the Fulton Mall, was built in 1914.
Mayor Swearengin said, “I'm so pleased to be standing here in front of Fresno's first skyscraper and I'm so pleased to announce that it has a new owner.”
The new owner is becoming a familiar face in downtown Fresno. He is Beverly Hills developer Sevak Khatchadourian. He and his brother also own the Pacific Southwest Building in downtown Fresno.
Khatchadourian said, “We're going to concentrate on the commercial aspect of it and leave the upstairs for the future to see exactly what the demand will be.”
Khatchadourian noted the Helm Building has “good bones”. The architect who designed the building, George Kelham, also designed the Palace Hotel in San Francisco.
Khatchadourian also made it clear he supports the mayors’ push to restore vehicle traffic to the Fulton Mall area. They are all focusing on, I think, to open up this road. I think traffic is needed here,” said Khatchadourian.
Khatchadourian says over time, malls in Oxnard, Pomona and Burbank have all thrived once traffic was restored and it’s something he, his brother and the mayor are all counting on.
Mayor Swearengin said, “…they are making incredible plans and making this building come back to life and in doing so, Sevak and his brother are really anchoring the future of Fresno's Fulton Mall corridor.”