Burned-out downtown San Jose property has sat vacant for years as owner incurs citations

IT’S BEEN THREE years since a fire raged through the Lawrence Hotel building in downtown San Jose, but it looks like the fire happened just a couple of days ago.

Since the four-alarm fire on Jan. 7, 2021, the historic building on San Fernando and Third streets has been in disrepair with burn marks on the exterior brick wall, debris and a chained fence between the boarded up building and sidewalk. San Jose officials have tried to work with the property owner to get started on demolition and repairs, but their efforts have fallen flat — and owner Eagles Hills Property LLC is at risk of incurring hundreds of dollars in fines daily.