Serving over 14,000 riders daily, Lake Merritt BART Station, opened in 1972, serves as the center of this regional transit system and sits within Oakland’s Chinatown neighborhood. In 2017, BART called for proposals to reimagine two city blocks and to provide a sense of arrival into this portion of Oakland’s downtown as well as connections to OCMA, Laney College, Jack London Square and Lake Merritt.

This winning proposal replaces surface parking and an office building with four buildings—two high-rises for market-rate housing and offices, and two mid-rises for affordable housing, along with a rich mix of retail and a network of public open spaces. Each building brings a unique design and sense of place in concert with active ground-level experience that will include local eateries, restaurants, a night market and childcare center to serve both the new residents and commuters.

The project components were also based on the design parameters and land use goals of the Lake Merritt Station Area Plan, and the City of Oakland’s standards for quality, sustainable development. As an equitable approach to TODs, project goals include increasing ridership, creating long-term value for BART while acting as a catalyst for the neighborhood, and delivering inclusive community benefits.

Design Team:
PYATOK architecture + urban design
Solomon Cordwell Buenz
EinwillerKuehl Landscape Architecture
Robin Chiang & Company