Demolition permits have been requested for the existing three-story house at 2442 Haste Street in Southside, Berkeley. The filing looks to replace the century-old Hutchinson Flats Building with an eight-story apartment complex with over three dozen units. San Ramon-based 2442 Haste Street LLC is listed as the property owner.
2442 Haste Street lobby and sidewalk activity, rendering by Studio KDA
2442 Haste Street street elevation, rendering by Studio KDA
The roughly 85-foot-tall structure is expected to yield around 39,650 square feet, producing 38 units. Apartment types will vary with two one-bedrooms, 13 three-bedrooms, 16 four-bedrooms, and seven five-bedrooms. Parking for 45 bicycles will be included.
Of the 38 units, two will be deed-restricted for very low-income households. According to the application, the existing units, “will be replaced with 4 Replacement units at or below existing affordability levels…”
2442 Haste Street, rendering by Studio KDA
Studio KDA is responsible for the design. According to the design review application, the proposed structure is “organized on a narrow parcel and the design is stacked and articulated to meet the program and add detail and interest to the exterior facades.” The facade will be clad with terracotta tiles, laminate siding, ceramic tiles, concrete, and painted stucco.
The existing structure, the Hutchinson Flats Building, was built in 1904 and contains four units registered with the Berkeley Rent Board. The structure was designed by architect Thomas Dean Newsom for the property owner and real estate developer, George D. Hutchison.
2442 Haste Street, image by Google Street View
The zoning application was approved earlier this year. The estimated cost and timeline for construction have yet to be shared.
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Tearing down Queen Anne Victorians that could be beautifully restored will set a precedent for destroying Berkeley’s architectural heritage. The housing crisis will never be solved when the world population increases by 220,000 everyday.
There are already plenty of Victorians preserved around Berkeley. These houses were basically the mass-produced homes of their time, built from pattern books and pre-cut trim, not one-of-a-kind landmarks.
The “architectural heritage” argument loses weight when every old building gets treated like a museum piece. Preserving a few good examples makes sense, but blocking housing in a student-heavy area over one more Queen Anne doesn’t. And global population growth has nothing to do with Berkeley’s local housing shortage.
It’s true that many Victorians were built from pattern books and pre-cut materials — but that doesn’t make them disposable. Those “mass-produced” homes now represent a level of craftsmanship, material quality, and architectural coherence that’s rarely achieved in contemporary construction. Their survival gives Berkeley identity, and a tangible connection to its own past.
Cities that balance growth with heritage tend to maintain stronger community character and long-term appeal — which benefits residents and new arrivals alike.
Respecting history and building more housing aren’t mutually exclusive. The conversation should focus on how to grow — with architectural continuity, climate goals, and housing needs all in view — not on dismissing older buildings as mere leftovers from the past. This buiilding occupies less than 0.00003416196% of the buildable land in Berkeley and why it was ever even cosidered disposable is also a failure of Berkeley’s housing policy.
I’m all for building housing, very much YIMBY, but it is sad having to destroy these architectural relics. Not speaking against this project because we do need more housing, but I feel there are better ways to create denser communities. Right behind this lot is a low rise, one floor commercial building with parking that could otherwise be redeveloped instead of this Victorian structure.
Agreed, but watch out, these anti-preservation, “Build It!” YIMBY fanatics (Yeah, I make bucks, y’all) are gonna tear you a new one.
This building is unique in world architecture. No other building like it anywhere and Berkeley is lucky enough that it was built here and is part of our built environment! Especially notice the porch columns!