Pre-application permits have been filed for a small residential expansion at 2428 Milvia Street in Downtown Berkeley, Alameda County. The project would demolish an existing structure and serve as the relocation site of the Broad Building, an Eastlake-style Victorian at 2032 Bancroft Way. The Rhoades Planning Group is responsible for the application, filing on behalf of the property owner 1410 Haste Street LLC.
At 2428 Milvia Street, the developer will demolish six existing units. The Broad Building will replace the existing two-story building, preserving the exterior and creating eight new residences.
2032 Bancroft Way, image via the City of Berkeley Landmark Application, photographer unlisted
The historic Broad Buildings complex is being moved from 2030-32 Bancroft Way. Eastlake-style Victorian house built in 1886. The property was home to Alphonso Herman Broad, an influential resident of Berkeley who first moved to the city in 1877. Broad was a prolific building contractor across the East Bay, best known as his Eastlake Cottages until he died in 1930. The wood-frame structure shares the same parcel with a simple three-story apartment complex built in 1915.
The same developer has been responsible for moving a two-story building from 2028 Bancroft Way to the front of 1940 Haste Street. Today, crews have finished building a six-story apartment complex with 37 units at 2028 Bancroft Way, developed by Vindium Real Estate. While no permits have been filed yet for 2032 Bancroft Way, the developer will likely pursue a similar project.
The small parcel is located at the corner of Haste Street and Milvia Way, one block from Shattuck Avenue and a ten-minute walk from the Downtown Berkeley BART Station. The estimated timeline for construction and completion has yet to be shared.
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Those old houses look charming from the curb, but really are poorly suited to modern living. No closets, dark in the middle. Tiny bathrooms. Bad kitchen. Plus at this age everything needs replacing. Zero romanticism for this middle tier of old house
The term ‘old house’ is quite broad. Typically, homes constructed in the 1880’s are characterized by large windows that permeate even the smallest spaces, like closets and pantries. Minor modifications can adapt most Victorian-era homes to contemporary living standards. My own residence, built in 1885 and renovated periodically, defies expectations. Visitors are often surprised by its livability and grandeur, far from evoking pity.
This project makes sense. Move an historic house with a clear provenance to a single family neighborhood and provide infill housing in a suitable place. Currently the Victorian is out of place in it’s current spot and needs to go.
Looks like the photo above is out of date — Google street view shows the house with a well-maintained facade and another front door (or two).