Development permits have been approved, and new building permits are filed for a six-story affordable housing project at 2700 International Boulevard in Fruitvale, Oakland. The proposal will create 75 apartments along with retail and parking. Once built, it will become a neighborhood hub for the project sponsor, the Fruitvale-based Unity Council.
2700 International Boulevard establishing view, rendering by PYATOK
2700 International Boulevard street activity, rendering by PYATOK
The 74-foot tall structure will yield around 100,800 square feet with 75,810 square feet for housing, 4,780 square feet for commercial retail, 1,600 square feet for offices, and 11,090 square feet for parking. Residents will also have access to 3,670 square feet of amenities.
Unit sizes will vary with 35 one-bedrooms, 21 two-bedrooms, and 19 three-bedrooms. The project will have a capacity for 32 cars and 50 bicycles at ground level. The second level will feature a community room and landscaped courtyard designed by Cliff Lowe Associates. Of the 75 units, 74 will be designated as affordable for very-low and low-income households. There will be a managers unit.
2700 International Boulevard ground floor retail, rendering by PYATOK
2700 International Boulevard community space, rendering by PYATOK
PYATOK is the project architect. The massing is stepped to create a graceful transition from the seven-story pinnacle to the neighboring single-unit homes. Facade materials will include brick, cement plaster, textured cement, and mosaic tile to be inlaid with a design by a local artist. The firm writes that the exterior design uses “strong vertical elements of richly-textured brick and stucco inspired by neighborhood context and traditional patterns.”
2700 International Boulevard outlined, image via Google Satellite
The site is less than fifteen minutes away from the Fruitvale BART Station by foot, with copious amounts of retail in the surrounding vicinity. Writing to YIMBY, the VP of Real Estate Development at Unity Council, Aubra Levine, shared that the firm is aiming for a “late Fall 2023 groundbreaking, assuming all goes well with very competitive funding applications.”
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This is exactly what’s needed all over Oakland!
more affordable housing projects like these!
Historically Oakland outpaces the bay area region (esp. Alameda County) in the production of affordable housing while other cities shirk their responsiblity. Lower income populations are therefore deprived the advantage of better schools, less crime, and more services that would otherwise be available in more resource-rich locations. Concentrating affordable housing in Oakland has depleted the city of retail, goods and services.