Ancora Place is a publicly-funded, five-story mixed-use affordable housing development on International Boulevard in East Oakland. The mid-block site consolidates several narrow parcels to join a contiguous series of affordable properties owned by SAHA that include Eastside Arts & Housing and Camino 23.
The ground floor will be treated as an interactive experience and new neighborhood hub of residential, retail, and creative activity. 2,100 square feet of retail space will activate this block of International Blvd, with opportunities for embellishment by local artisans. The L-shaped building forms a generous, protected and publicly-accessible on-grade courtyard with direct connection to five live-work lofts – a ‘retail alleyway’ modeled after those in the Temescal district.
Design inspiration is drawn from the eclectic, diverse, multi-ethnic San Antonio neighborhood that is at an inflection point between light industrial and commercial uses. Nearby structures dating from the 1880s to early 1900s are experiencing adaptive reuse, while International is developing as a transit corridor with infrastructure like the Tempo rapid bus line.
In pursuit of GreenPoint Rated Platinum certification, Ancora Place will fully-incorporate active and passive environmental systems. Each unit will have fresh air intakes with filters to mitigate the effects of the heavy truck traffic on nearby I-880 and East 12th Street. Additional sustainable features include rooftop PV and solar thermal panels.
Personnel (as Executive Architect)
- PIC / Peter Waller
- PM / Janey Madamba
- JC / Hannah Howland
Project Team
- Design Architect / Phillips Win
- General Contractor / Cahill
- Landscape / PGA
- Civil / Luk & Assoc.
- Structural / element
- Mechanical / H&M
- Electrical / BWF
- Sustainability / Beyond Efficiency
- Utilities / Alpine
