From hip new loft projects to the conversion of old warehouses and factories into trendy residential and live-work spaces, the East Bay is giving San Francisco a run for its money when it comes to presenting the loft lifestyle. Once home to shipping yards and manufacturing, the waterfront area around West Oakland, Jack London Square, and Emeryville have been compared to San Francisco’s SOMA, with industrial-cool places to live but at a reasonably affordable price.
The centerpiece of Oakland’s growth and urban renewal is Jack London Square, which may well be one of the most exciting places to live in Oakland. Stylish lofts and high-rises, many with sensational views, are a popular choice for commuters who work in the city but appreciate the relative affordability of loft living in the East Bay. Jack London Square is in the midst of the shopping, entertainment, and dining scene; and public transportation, including a ferry that runs between Jack London Square and San Francisco, is just outside the front door.
Just north of Jack London Square is West Oakland. Ongoing renovation and renewal projects are turning old factories and warehouses into some of the hottest live-work developments in Oakland. Only a few minutes to San Francisco via BART, West Oakland promises to be an exciting prospect for commuters, professionals who work from home, and buyers who don’t want to pay city prices for a fashionable, up-to-date place to live.
Another popular venue is Emeryville, where lofts and condos with dazzling views of the Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the San Francisco skyline attract upscale urban dwellers. Home to many award winning residential housing projects, Emeryville is conveniently located for commuting to San Francisco and other Bay Area locations. Several developments even offer residents a free shuttle to BART.
While Oakland and Emeryville are the premier areas for residential and live-work spaces in the East Bay, a few loft-style buildings can be found in Berkeley. Close to UC Berkeley, these properties include units in mixed-use buildings and many are live-work spaces.
The East Bay has benefited from what urban planners call “smart growth”. This policy of creating cities within cities, offering proximity to public transportation, convenient amenities, and reusing existing structures has created a win-win situation. East Bay cities are given a renewed vitality and homeowners can enjoy a modern urban lifestyle in vibrant mixed-use neighborhoods at a cost that is (as a rule) less expensive than in San Francisco.
Renee Adelmann is the owner of East Bay Modern Real Estate, a residential real estate brokerage in San Francisco’s East Bay which specializes in lofts, modern homes, and mid-century modern properties. Learn more at www.EastBayModern.com.
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