Stability of \(C^*\)-algebras is not a stable property (Q1383290)

Summary: We show that there exists a \(C^*\)-algebra \(B\) such that \(M_2(B)\) is stable, but \(B\) is not stable. Hence stability of \(C^*\)-algebras is not a stable property. More generally, we find for each integer \(n\geq 2\) a \(C^*\)-algebra \(B\) so that \(M_n(B)\) is stable and \(M_k(B)\) is not stable when \(1< k< n\). The \(C^*\)-algebras we exhibit have the additional properties that they are simple, nuclear and of stable rank one. The construction is similar to \textit{J. Villadsen's} construction in [``Simple \(C^*\)-algebras with perforation'', to appear in J. Funct. Anal.] of a simple \(C^*\)-algebra with perforation in its ordered \(K_0\)-group.