Plans have been approved for a six-story apartment complex at 4207 Broadway in Temescal, Oakland. The proposal has been winding through the city’s planning department for eight years with plans for over a hundred apartments and commercial space. Los Angeles-based CGI+ is the property owner.
4207 Broadway elevation, rendering by AO
4207 Broadway view of the garage entrance, rendering by AO
The 64-foot tall structure will yield around 159,750 square feet, with 107,500 square feet for housing, 3,000 square feet for ground-level retail, and 22,975 square feet for the 74-car garage. Additional parking will be included for 161 bicycles. Once complete, the building will include 143 apartments, of which 15 will be deed-restricted as affordable to very low-income households. Apartment types will vary with 49 studios, 54 one-bedrooms, 34 two-bedrooms, and six three-bedrooms.
AO is responsible for the design. The renderings shared for the project show a contemporary podium-style complex with facade articulation punctuated by inset private balconies. The exterior will be clad with a mix of stucco, wood-textured porcelain tiles, and decorative perforated metal screens.
4207 Broadway showcasing a placeholder mural, rendering by AO
4207 Broadway site map, landscaping by Guzzardo Partnership
The Guzzardo Partnership is responsible for landscape architecture. The firm will oversee the implementation of a narrow green line along the northern edge of the lot. The second-floor podium-top deck will feature outdoor amenities and seating surrounded by greenery. On the top floor, residents will benefit from a small clubhouse lounge with an attached amenity deck.
The roughly one-acre property is located along Broadway between 42nd Street and Garnet Street. The site is located next to the Oakland Technical High School, just a few blocks from Piedmont Avenue and ten minutes from the former CCA Oakland campus on foot.
4207 Broadway, image via Google Satellite
Construction is expected to last around 27 months from groundbreaking to completion. The estimated cost has yet to be shared.
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
I’m very happy to see this blighted lot finally built upon, but why does this stuff have to be so blindingly bland and boring? I can’t believe architects were really involved with this, especially since much nicer buildings went up just up the street from this not too long ago. Decent architecture is possible.
Budgets and neighbors. That’s why things are so bland. Not saying good design isn’t possible, only that it’s less likely these days.
Bland is fine. Paris is a city full of average midrise buildings where the sum is greater than the parts. We should be so lucky to have a fraction of that here.
This is exactly the right way to think about it. Every building brings foot traffic, taxes, lighting, landscaping, security…all of which contributes to the city in so many ways.
Well I’m not sure why you’d accept bad architecture? They’re still paying for the architects so why pay for garbage. And as far as the Paris comparison goes, if you think those buildings are “average” you don’t know what you are talking about.
Give the architects a nonexistent unlimited budget, and you will get Frank Lloyd Wright, Gaudii, Zaha, or whoever the heck the starchitect level of design.
You don’t see that level of design because the input costs are too high, and the return is lackluster. Social housing in other countries is gorgeous because their building codes allow for a minimal approach. Our supped-up base needs make great design impossible on a dime.
As long as the Bay Area makes the permitting process a 5+ year ordeal, you’re not getting the best architects can offer.
8 years in planning is unacceptable. Timeframe needs to be cut at least 90%.
Agreed. A residential development that satisfies infrastructure requirements and meets seismic code should be approved promptly.
In Houston, it takes a month max for planning permit and up to 10 days for building permit. Bay Area cities are strangling themselves.
I’m sure the city’s permitting process could be more efficient, but I also don’t think the developer had all their ducks in a row for an application they could actually finance and build 8 years ago. Proposals have been on-again, off-again for this site over the years.
Should be taller, but whatever, build it yesterday!
Signed,
a nearby neighbor
Oakland Planning Department has been broken since about 2016. They were understaffed and were trying to ramp up, but they paid less than other agencies and competing cities. Covid killed the building department. What used to take 6-12 months, now takes 3-5 years. Knee Jerk Nimbyism also contributes. The Unions representing municipal employees love work from home option, and they milked it until every developer went broke or decided that Oakland is a NO-GO ZONE. The City Council has been controlled by the same interest groups and our city is a mess. Sad!
I also assume the construction costs are the same as in SF, but the apartments sell/rent for 30% less. That must make the math harder.
I’m all for quick permitting, but there are a lot of accusations here without actual evidence.
Glad to see this project finally improved and to see mid-rise development along our main commercial corridor. All things considered I actually think this building looks decent.
Yes, 8 years is too long, yes the City has much to improve, and yes, we would be lucky if this gets built. Shout out to CGI+ for sticking with it!
Looks like the former Dave’s is separate from this and will presumably stay abandoned?
I thought the same thing. Bringing back the diner would serve this project and neighbors. The Museum of Neon Art in Glendale even has the original sign! I agree it’s bland. Looks like an AI-generated design…
Wish it was 40 floors!
8 years? Just build something, anything.
SMH