On the stable rank and real rank of group C*-algebras of nilpotent locally compact groups

It is shown that if G is an almost connected nilpotent group then the stable rank of C* (G) is equal to the rank of the abelian group G/[ G, G]. For a general nilpotent locally compact group G, it is shown that finiteness of the rank of G/[G, G] is necessary and sufficient for the finiteness of the stable rank of C*(G) and also for the finiteness of the real rank of C*(G).