Berkeley Moshav Breaks Ground at 2403 San Pablo in Berkeley

Last week, Berkeley Moshav, the nation’s first Jewish urban cohousing complex broke ground at its site on San Pablo Ave. The four-story, mixed-use construction begins more than 10 years after the original proposal, making a historic debut for a new type of community-based housing. Urban Development + Partners has worked with Studio KDA architects and local Jewish community groups to realize this long-held dream.

In Moshav, residents will privately own their units, but they will share 8,700 square feet of communal space, including two kitchens, a terrace, a courtyard, a play area, a bicycle and car garage, an art studio, and a gym. Decisions involving shared spaces are made by the collective residents.

Interior Courtyard and Walkways at 2403 San Pablo Avenue, Rendering by Studio KDA

Prospective tenants are not required to be Jewish or part of a particular community organization. However, common space design is specifically tailored to the needs of likely Jewish residents. Both the indoor dairy kitchen and smaller outdoor kitchen will be Kosher, and the open top-floor common area will be referred to as the “Havdalah Terrace” where residents can hold the weekly ceremony to mark the end of Shabbat.

Havdalah Terrace at 2403 San Pablo Avenue, Rendering by Studio KDA

Construction of the 36 units, a “double chai” or lucky number in Jewish culture, should take 18 to 20 months, allowing residents to move in by early 2027. The units will range in size from one bedroom to three-plus bedrooms, with prepurchase prices of $800,000 to $1.7 million. The residents themselves will determine monthly community fees. Aside from the residential portion, the new building will also include 600 square feet of retail space along San Pablo Avenue.

2403 San Pablo Avenue street view, rendering by Studio KDA

Previous Building on 2403 San Pablo Avenue Site

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