Berkeley Way
Berkeley Way grew out of a local need for affordable housing and supportive services in the transit-rich downtown Berkeley area and is located on a former City of Berkeley parking lot. The project aims to provide a warm and welcoming place for unhoused people to begin their journey out of poverty and homelessness, with dignity and respect. Shared spaces are envisioned to welcome connection between people at various stages on their journey, learning from one another and seeing possibility firsthand in a supportive environment.
Owner
BRIDGE Housing Corporation / Berkeley Food and Housing Project
Location
Berkeley, CA
Size
141,150 sq. ft.
Stats
Targeting GreenPoints Gold
Image Credit
LMSA for renderings / Jacek Gaccynski
The Berkeley Way project consists of BRIDGE Berkeley Way Affordable and the BFHP Hope Center, separate structures which are joined visually by interlocking facade motifs and welcoming, light-filled ground floor spaces. Nested in the heart of the project are two community rooms, one for each side of the project connected to a large landscaped courtyard to the south. The community rooms are flanked by the main entries and a lush green entry garden that welcomes residents into this new community. Common Areas with generous daylight and strategically placed accent materials create opportunities for social connection and relaxation. Visual cues are designed to support ease of wayfinding. The building's exterior integrates with the residential neighborhood through its materials and massing. Large windows with views to landscaped areas outside connect residents to nature.
On the east side of the property, BRIDGE Berkeley Way Affordable provides affordable housing for families (a mix of studio and one- and two-bedroom apartments) with community spaces, laundry facilities, and administrative offices. The BFHP Hope Center, occupying the western portion, includes transitional housing for veterans, as well as housing for formerly unhoused people, including temporary sleeping accommodations and 30 studio apartments. The BFHP Hope Center provides a variety of services, including a commercial kitchen, a multipurpose room with meal service and other programs, 24-hour reception, and offices and conference rooms for supportive services, management, and administrative functions.
The building will have on site renewable energy and is expected to achieve a GreenPoint Rated Multifamily score of Platinum.
