New renderings have been revealed for the eight-story mixed-use development at 2000 University Avenue in Downtown Berkeley. The project, named Studio 2000, will replace a single-story commercial structure covering 0.14 acres with 82 studio apartments above retail. Trachtenberg Architects, responsible for the design, have shared with YIMBY that construction is expected to start this summer.
Studio 2000 ground-level retail activity, rendering by Trachtenberg Architects
Studio 2000 floor plans, rendering by Trachtenberg Architects
Demolition permits have been filed for the two-story structure at 2001 Milvia Street.
The 84-foot tall structure will contain 43,570 square feet with 41,480 square feet for residential use and 1,415 square feet for commercial retail. Thanks to downtown zoning, parking will be included for 40 bicycles and no vehicles. Of the 82 apartments, a fifth will be affordable housing priced below market rate. By including affordable housing, the proposal will benefit from the State Density Bonus program, allowing the development to increase the housing capacity a certain percentage above the lot’s base zoning.
Studio 2000 establishing view, rendering by Trachtenberg Architects
Talking with YIMBY, the architect firm principal, David Trachtenberg, shared that “two rooftop gardens help to break down the six-story mass of the building. The project is expected to be built largely off-site using modular/pre-fabricated units which will be craned into place.” The residential infill will offer floor-to-ceiling windows integrated into a saw-tooth bay window pattern.
The north facade will be composed of brick and metal infill panels. In contrast, the facade facing Milvia Street will integrate dark stucco with a hard trowel finish, visually breaking up the overall massing of the structure. The podium base will be clad with cast-in-place concrete and aluminum glazing.
Read Investments is the property owner, operating through R&S 2000 University LLC. The project is expecting to achieve LEED Gold certification.
2000 University Avenue existing condition, image via Google Street View
The property is four minutes away from the Downtown Berkeley BART Station by foot, with AC Transit buses stopping even closer.
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RIP Berkeley – current city council must be getting pretty wealthy off their short selling of Berkeley and bowing to international developers and wall street – unaffordable microhousing lining every street with hardly a ray of sunshine reaching the paved over ground.
… Read Investments is based in Berkeley. And I promise you will still see sunlight even if the housing crisis is solved