$49 Million Sale Pushes Forward Life Sciences Campus in Northwest Berkeley

Plans for a new Life Science campus known as Berkeley Forge in Northwest Berkeley have been pushed closer to reality. Public records show that 16 parcels have been purchased for a total of $49 million, culminating in roughly ten acres. Forge Development is responsible for the project

Berkeley Forge site map, illustration by Perkins&Will

Project plans drafted by Perkins&Will for February this year show the development split into three phases across as many blocks. Block A was projected to be the tallest, with a 104-foot pinnacle and 391,750 square feet for tenants. Block B would have the second tallest structure and smallest footprint, rising 88 feet with 198,575 square feet of leasable space. Block C would rise 56 feet with 287,120 square feet of R&D and office area. Groundworks Office has confirmed with YIMBY that they will be responsible for the landscape architecture.

Demolition will be required for all nearly all of the existing structures, save for the Berkeley Steel Building between Second Street and Eastshore Highway. Site plans propose the historic preservation of all or some of the existing structures, creating a landmark for an outdoor amenity space in Block C.

Property for Berkeley Forge outlined via LSA

The property contains the former Pacific Steel Casting and the Berkeley Forge and Tools sites. Pacific Steel filed for bankruptcy in 2018, and the forge is in the process of closing operations. The sale was first reported yesterday by George Avalos for the Bay Area News Group. Avalos also reported that a portion of the sale, around $24 million, will be used to fund the unpaid pension of former steelworkers.

Corrrection: This story has been updated to reflect that Forge Development is now responsible for the development, taking over from IQHQ and Spur Capital

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