New zoning permits have been filed for a taller iteration of the California Theater Housing tower at 2115 Kittredge Street in Downtown Berkeley, Alameda County. The updates use Assembly Bill 1287 to reach 23 floors above street level, retaining the planned live performance theater and adjusting the residential capacity. Rhode Island-based Gilbane Development is responsible for the project.
Studio KDA was responsible for drafting the previous plan set with Gilbane. Plans for 2115 Kittredge Street have remained controversial throughout the years, starting in 2022 with a 15-story tower and 214 homes. The most recent application prior to this week’s permit was 18 floors with 211 units and a 325-seat performing arts venue.
California Theater Housing, rendering by Studio KDA
Throughout the evolution of Gilbane’s project, plans to retain the historic facade of California Theater and a new live performance theater have been consistent.
The 23-story building is now expecting to add 148 apartments, which translates to a five-floor increase and a 63-unit reduction. However, the increase in scale is still likely to translate to a significant increase of residential capacity by adding bigger apartment sizes that attract groups of prospective college students. Of the 148 dwellings, 24 will be designated as affordable housing, half for very low-income households and half for moderate-income households.
The historic theater stands on a 0.3-acre parcel along Kittredge Street between Shattuck Avenue and Oxford Street. Future residents will be close to the city’s BART Station and AC Transit bus stops. The western edges of the UC Berkeley campus will be under a block away.
California Theater Housing facade adaptive reuse, rendering by Studio KDA
The application was filed by Rhoades Planning Group, the permitting consultant working for Gilbane. Speaking with YIMBY, Mark Rhoades confirmed that the team is using Assembly Bill 1287, a 2023-passed state law that significantly increased the potential residential density allowed across California by allowing developers to stack the 50% density bonuses allowed by very low-income housing and moderate income rentals. In email, Rhoades told YIMBY, “We are very excited to be able to provide a tranche of moderate income units and increase the project to a 100% density bonus.”
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Any idea what the total bedroom count is for the new number of units? Feels like in general, total bedrooms across a development is a useful measure to include.
The structure on the roof looks like a clumsy after-thought addition randomly plopped on top.
Agreed. There are better ways to incorporate balcony/roofdeck/clubhouse space.
It is goofy looking. Wouldn’t want that in my portfolio of projects.