Zoning permits have been requested to change the use of a parcel from educational/religious to housing for a new group living project at 2441 Le Conte Avenue in Northside, Berkeley, Alameda County. The plan will replace a portion of the Zaytuna College campus with a 65-unit infill. Studio KDA is the applicant and architect.
Project plans have yet to be published for the new iteration. Existing illustrations are for the 51-unit program from 2021. Now, 2441 Le Conte will create 65 group living units, of which seven will be designated as affordable to very low-income households. The affordable housing allows Studio KDA to use the State Density Bonus program to increase residential capacity. The 48-foot structure will yield around 24,300 square feet.
2441 Le Conte Avenue pedestrian view previous design iteration, rendering by Studio KDA
2441 Le Conte Avenue existing site condition, illustration by Studio KDA
The previous iteration by Studio KDA shows the four-story infill clad with a bare cement plaster facade and a two-story bay window facing Le Conte Avenue. The existing redwood-plank rotunda facing the sidewalk will be retained during construction and become a centerpiece for the residential entryway. The single-story brick extension will be adaptively reused from community space to housing.
The Zaytuna College is a private liberal arts college founded in Hayward in 1996 by Hamza Yusuf and Hesham Alalusi. Yusuf is a prominent American scholar of Islamic sciences. The Guardian once described him as “arguably the West’s most influential Islamic scholar.” Zaytuna College moved to its existing space on Holy Hill, a multi-faith academic district north of the UC Berkeley Campus, in 2015. The campus occupies three buildings in Holy Hill, along with eight structures in the Berkeley Hills near Tilden Park around 2770 Marin Avenue.
2441 Le Conte Avenue aerial view showing the previous design iteration, rendering by Studio KDA
According to a historic resource evaluation by Left Coast Architecture, the building dates back to 1941 with a design by Walter Ratcliff Jr and underwent remodeling for expansion in 1955, designed by Frank Ehrenthal. It had been occupied by the Starr King School for the Ministry. Its use of the Second Bay Tradition style for non-residential buildings is notable but does not merit landmark status.
The property is located along Le Conte Avenue between Scenic Avenue and Euclid Avenue. The UC Berkeley Campus is just two blocks away. The estimated cost and timeline for construction have not yet been established.
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
Can sfyimby please give us an update of Treasure Island construction? One of those buildings is getting pretty high…