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This 128,000-square-foot, 94-unit residential project occupies a prime position between major transportation corridors, green spaces, artist studios, and Berkeley’s vibrant 4th Street retail district. The challenge: creating a desirable market-rate rental community directly adjacent to active rail lines and light industrial uses—while celebrating the extraordinary geographical assets of the area. The solution: a contemporary five-story building centered around a tranquil private courtyard, crowned by a rooftop deck with sweeping views of San Francisco Bay and the Berkeley Hills.
A striking double-height entry anchors the Addison Street façade, welcoming residents and visitors into the building. A sculptural staircase provides both a visual and physical link between the sidewalk and the inner courtyard, reinforcing a sense of movement and connection. At street level, a corner café and thoughtful streetscape design—including bench seating, bicycle racks, concrete pavers, and lush trees—activate the pedestrian experience and create a natural flow to nearby Aquatic Park. Generous landscaping further softens the transition from public to private space, with a vine-covered trellis along the rail-facing edge acting as both a buffer and a nod to the site’s industrial history.
Strategic planning ensures no residential units have primary exposure to the railroad tracks—circulation corridors provide a buffer, while most homes enjoy quiet, landscaped views of the courtyard. The building’s design strikes a careful balance between residential warmth and industrial character. Expansive bay windows, lap siding, and projecting balconies create a welcoming, human-scale experience, while corrugated metal, exposed concrete, and the rhythmic placement of second-floor punched windows subtly echo the movement of passing trains. This project is a testament to the potential of urban infill development—blending contemporary living with the rich industrial and natural context of Berkeley’s dynamic west side.
