8-Story Building Demolition is Under Way

A demolition has begun that will take several weeks and transform the skyline of Newell Avenue.

Started last week was an internal demolition of an 8-story building at 1500 Newell (once known as 'The Peace Building' because, during the Vietnam war, a peace sign adorned the top of its west face). Exterior wrecking is scheduled to start Nov. 5 and involve lane closures from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Newell and South Main Street areas, said Gayle Vassar, director of communications for the city of Walnut Creek. The exterior demolition is expected to conclude before Thanksgiving.

This building, across the street from Kaiser Permanente, once housed Selix Formal Wear. The building originally housed Security National Bank, founded in 1963 by Pete Stark, the dean of California's congressional delegation; Stark is facing a rugged re-election battle against Eric Swalwell on Nov. 6.

The 8-story building will be replaced by a four-story development with roughly twice the square footage (128,575) called The Village with 49 condo units, underground parking and shops on the ground floor, according to the city website's "Current Projects." The developer is Essex Alamo, LLC.