The University of California at Berkeley has made clear its intention to move forward with its largest-ever student housing project. The proposed building would reach 26 stories, rising 3 more above the university’s next largest project, currently under construction at Bancroft Way and Fulton Street.
The project, entitled the Channing-Bowdich Student Housing, would cover a nearly 2-acre site and provide approximately 550,000 square feet of dormitory space. University staff estimates that the facilities will be able to house as many as 1,500 students, providing much-needed relief to the current demand. The housing will accommodate primarily undergraduate students, and it plans to provide student services for dining, social, and recreation in line with the university’s other undergraduate housing.
SOM is responsible for the building’s full design and layout. Their plans currently require the partial demolition of the existing property and the integration of its remaining buildings into the larger housing complex. The new structures consist of a split height, with a full height 26-story building at the corner of Channing Way and Bowdich Street, and a 14-story addition stretching further along Bowdich. Early façade designs of the complex show a white and grey cement panel façade with patterned window placement.
Channing-Bowdich Student Housing Streetview Rendering, image by SOM
Channing-Bowdich Student Housing Courtyard Rendering, image by SOM
The first two stories of the buildings are to act as a podium, and they will contain the majority of the student amenities for the site. Design for the base floors is shown as prioritizing light and visibility, with floor-to-ceiling windows and an inset façade. In addition to the indoor spaces, the new complex plans to include an outdoor courtyard space and garden area for the students’ use.
Channing-Bowdich Student Housing Patio Rendering, image by SOM
The site’s plans are being promoted by the university as a high-quality solution to the high demand for more student housing. However, there have been some community pushes back against the project. Specifically, preservation-minded community members are concerned about the partial demolition and adaptation of the historic Anna Head School for Girls buildings that are located on the site. While the project plans to partially preserve some of the buildings, there will be significant changes made.
UC Berkeley staff chose the site in spite of the raised concerns. The already dense area in Berkeley’s Southside has more limited options for the type of large-scale development demanded by the need for student housing. However, it remains desirable because of its high accessibility, many student-friendly businesses, and a generally social environment. The university likely believes that these many benefits are what make the project worthwhile.
Channing-Bowdich Student Housing Site Location, image via ArcGIS Online
Channing Way and Bowditch Street Current Site, image via Google Street View
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It is highly misleading to call this a “partial demolition and adaptation” of that building. The key part of that building is being completely demolished and the rear annexes are being “preserved.” This would be like demolishing a historic mansion but re-using a carriage house in the backyard. It is doubtful that what they’re “adapting” as part of this project would retain any historic integrity, probably wouldn’t be a historic resource anymore, and could get demolished without oversight at the first opportunity. If they demolish the main building they might as well scrape the site there’s not much point in “adapting” those halls at the rear.
That main building isn’t one of a million little Queen Anne cottages or quirky but unimportant survivors, by the way. I know what website I’m commenting on here – but that main building is genuinely a work of art, and one of the best examples of its kind on the west coast. It would be the biggest loss in the area since the 60s/70s, when we didn’t have any preservation law at all. That is the part of the building they should be preserving – by moving the building closer to Channing Way, there would be more than enough room to build their tower. This project can both preserve the historic resource and build hundreds of dormitories – but they aren’t. They’re taking the easiest way out and greatly stretching the definition of “preserving” to throw a bone to critics.
* The “partial demolition and adaptation” quote is not the SFYimby Editor but from the source, don’t mean to throw shade at Mr. Clark-Clough.
It appears to be a boarded up building in rough shape (per Google Streetview photos from 2025). Restoring it to good condition would take many millions. Moving it (to where?) would cost quite a bit more. It’s a relatively small building on a very large lot two blocks from campus. If a philanthropist wants to step it, move it and refurbish it, so be it, but don’t stop progress. No one will remember or care that this building existed 20 years from now.
UC Berkeley officials have said it would cost at least $30 million to renovate Channing Hall, and that the university would not have a use for the building if it was restored. Cal will finance the construction of the dorm using bonds that will be paid back with its future revenue, Gibson said, but there would be no such mechanism to finance the restoration of Channing Hall.
In a January response to the Landmarks Commission’s letter, Wendy Hillis, the university’s assistant vice chancellor and campus architect, wrote that UC Berkeley is committed to preserving historic resources, but added, “The campus is not a museum.”
This is the crux of historic preservation. What do we do with, genuinely historic and beautiful buildings that don’t fit aesthetically or functionally into their modern surroundings. I looked up this building and it does look beautiful and it would be sad to see it destroyed. However, this is an urban downtown site next to a major university that has a major housing crisis driven by students. This lands highest value is probably as student housing since its so close to one of the renowned and popular universities in the whole world. How to square that with the loss of something with real historic value is hard, but like Panhandle said, will anyone remember or mourn the loss of this building in 15, 20, 25 years? Probably not.