The Valiant has officially opened at 2538 Durant Avenue in Southside, Berkeley. The project has added capacity for 265 students across from the UC Berkeley campus ahead of the fall semester. The project was developed by a joint venture between Canyon Partners Real Estate LLC, the Martin Group, and Valiance Capital.
The 88-foot-tall structure contains over 80,000 square feet, primarily for housing with 1,460 square feet of commercial retail space. The residences include a range of studios to four-bedroom apartments, resulting in a total capacity of 265 beds across 83 units. Five dwellings are deed-restricted as affordable to very low-income households.
The Valiant at 2538 Durant Avenue roof deck, image courtesy Studio KDA
Studio KDA is the project architect. Buddy Williams at Studio KDA provided some insight into how the overall residential experience was designed, saying, “the idea of an oasis emerged early in our design discussions. The demands of higher education can be intense, and we wanted to create housing that would support students’ needs for focused studying as well as opportunities to relax and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow students.”
The ground floor includes retail space, bicycle parking, the lobby, and a residential lounge. The lounge features study areas and floor-to-ceiling windows, shining light into the space and creating visual transparency between the interior and sidewalk. Other amenities include co-working spaces, a fitness center, and gathering spaces. The rooftop deck will offer residents a panoramic view showcasing the Campanile Tower, the Berkeley Hills, and the San Francisco Bay.
The Valiant at 2538 Durant Avenue entrance, image courtesy Studio KDA
Initial plans for the site were filed in mid-2022, with initial funding secured by Valiance as early as December 2022 to purchase the lot, formerly occupied by a 12-unit apartment complex. Development permits were approved in summer 2023, and construction financing was provided by Kennedy Wilson in October 2024.
Move-ins started late last week, with the project team telling YIMBY that “the Valiant’s lease-up has been strong leading into the 2026-27 academic year with 98% of the market rate beds leased prior to the school year.”
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
Be the first to comment on "Valiant Opens at 2538 Durant Avenue, Southside, Berkeley"