The draft study has been published for the five-story residential infill at 1652 University Avenue in Central Berkeley, Alameda County. The urban project will replace a single-story commercial structure along the major thoroughfare with 26 homes and two live-work spaces. Berkeley-based Studio KDA is responsible for the design.
1652 University Avenue pedestrian view along Jefferson, rendering by Studio KDA
1652 University Avenue view from the mid-street island, rendering by Studio KDA
The 59-foot tall structure will yield around 24,730 square feet, including 22,470 square feet for housing and 2,260 square feet for retail. Unit sizes will vary with ten studios, 12 one-bedrooms, four two-bedrooms, and two live/work spaces. Parking will be included for 14 bicycles and one car.
The current design iteration, first revealed in August, shows the five-story structure clad with cement panels and wood-look panels from the inset balconies. Cast-in-place concrete will help visually establish the foundation, with accent tiles around the lobby door. A four-story ornamental feature will rise over University Avenue, with mullion fins illuminated at night to draw attention.
1652 University Avenue facade elevations, rendering by Studio KDA
1652 University Avenue, image via Google Street View
The 0.17-acre parcel is located at the corner of University and Jefferson Avenue, just ten minutes from the Downtown Berkeley BART Station. The block has also seen construction rising for 1698 University, a five-story apartment complex by Realtex Apartments.
Construction is expected to last around 18 months, from groundbreaking to completion. Gordon Commercial is the project developer.
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
It’s great that Berkeley is creating more housing in a mixed usage building.
It would be even better if the developer would pay the slightest attention to environmental concerns. Concrete releases an extreme amount CO2 each year. Its production results in 2.8 billion tons of carbon dioxide which is between 4-8% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. And illuminating ‘mullion fins’ at night just to draw attention to them? Have these people never heard of the Dark Skies Initiative? Certainly YIMBY’s can do better than to herald that.
Why only space for 14 bicycles and one car??? This project provides for 26 housing units that will house at least 32 residents.
Is this just another project for Cal student housing? Almost every proposed housing development is basically squeezing in students in small units, with no car parking and minimal parking for bicycles. What about providing housing for other households like seniors and families with kids??? And maybe more spaces for cars?
Chris, creating apartments for individuals living alone does create supply for those who want a larger family home, by relieving the demand for multiple unrelated individuals living as roommates in those larger places. It’s important to realize that there is a great deal of latent demand for people to move into smaller households.