Entitlement permits have been filed for the Radium Theater at 2151 Ferry Point in Alameda, Alameda County. The project will reshape a two-acre parcel with a new performing arts center. The development will rise next to the Alameda Point master plan, with hundreds of homes, retail, and public open spaces proposed, many of which are already under construction or finished.
Radium Theater lobby activity, rendering by Bora Architecture
The center will be occupied by Radium Presents, an arts company founded by the affluent Alameda-based Christopher Seiwald. According to the project website, Radium sees the performing arts center and its potential first physical venue as “part of the Alameda Point revitalization, creating a regional destination and cultural anchor in a dramatic location with panoramic views of the San Francisco skyline and Bay.” Inside, the project will create a 500-seat theater, dance studios, and additional facilities for the Radium theater.
Radium Theater plaza view, rendering by Bora Architecture
Radium Theater interior view, rendering by Bora Architecture
Bora Architecture & Interiors is responsible for the design. Illustrations show a contemporary-style complex with a tall curtain-wall screen facing the Runway Plaza. The glass skin and skylights will bring sunlight to the public lobby. Additional members of the team include AMS Planning, CBG, Shalleck Collaborative, and UrbanMix Development.
The project will replace two acres of vacant land from the former Naval Air Station. The site is across from the now-complete Waterfront Park designed by CMG Landscape Architecture. Within the Alameda Point master plan, developers have already completed four blocks of housing, including townhomes, apartments, and affordable units.
Alameda Point zoning map, illustration from project plans
Alameda Point residential neighborhood and the Radium Theater site (Block 12 and 13) zoning map, illustration from project plans
Radium Theater property approximately outlined in white, image via Google Satellite
Late last year, the city’s Council approved an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement with the developer, allowing the company to pursue a lease agreement for the city-owned land and potential approval for construction. According to reporting by Karin Jensen for the Alameda Post, the City Council is expected to vote on the ground lease and purchase options by the enter of the year. The project is expected to cost over $100 million, with work starting as early as 2025.
Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail
Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates
Like YIMBY on Facebook
Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews
So much land for a nature reserve. The Bay Area has too many nature reserves and not a lot of housing, I hope they build denser and taller buildings if the runway for a former airport becomes a nature reserve.
Alameda wants a BART stop but doesn’t want to put in the work.
I agree, they should build some higher and put more landscaping around them instead of everything the same height and build out to the street.
It seem like there’s a need of another tunnel or more efficients transport like the bart extension on Alameda just the same way as the Airport has. Sometime they tunnel for maintainance and everything collpase along downtown and Alameda one hour traffic in order to get 1 mile from home
Big mistake as we currently can’t even get to, or away from our homes due to overcrowding. The entire thing should have been given to East Bay Regional Parks
It is nice. It would be nice to see more done with the base. They started and stopped. At this rate what was supposed to be a 20 year development will be a 50 year development. Before they finish the infrastructure they will be replacing the new stuff again. They drove the piles for one building and just stopped.
The only other comment I have is I would like them to repaint the buildings with some different colors. Everythings is being re-painted gray with red trim. Maybe repaint one yellow, another one green, brown, or blue. Did the get a discount on Grey paint?