 In 1978 , the University of California , Hastings College of the Law bought the building , the most prominent in the <unk> district , and began two years of refurbishment and redesign . Calling it " McAllister Tower " , <unk> units were modernized for residential use by law students , and the building opened in 1981 with a combination of compact studio units as well as larger <unk> and two @-@ bedroom apartments taking up a total of 17 floors . The building , home to about 300 law students and their families , is <unk> referred to as " the Tower " by Hastings residents and faculty , who have but a one @-@ block commute to the law school 's main building at 200 McAllister . 
