The signage for the former Bank of the West branch in Downtown Fresno is changed to BMO upon the bank transition in September 2024. Photo by Gabriel Dillard

A prominent Downtown Fresno building is on the market months after the closure of a bank branch and less than a month after the city issued a warning. 

After the closure of BMO’s Downtown Fresno branch in October, the former BMO building on 1221 Van Ness Ave. is for sale for $2.6 million, according to its listing on LoopNet.

 

The six-story, 47,040 square foot building was constructed in 1967 and is being positioned as a potential owner-user, redevelopment and value-add investment opportunity. 

Records posted at the property show that the City of Fresno issued a notice and order regarding alleged code violations on April 16 to property owners CenCal Real Investments LLC.

The notice states that the building had not been registered with the city’s vacant property registry, which requires all buildings vacant for 30 days to register with the city. If they don’t, they will be charged a $250 monthly fee. 

Cushman & Wakefield’s Tony Cortopassi and Marcus Velasquez listed the property.