BERKELEY, CA - Drawing upon the property’s location in the heart of Berkeley’s Arts District, Oakland-based TCA Architects is integrating novel art installations from local artists into the design of BayRock Multifamily’s 107-residence The Addison apartment community, announced Jonathan Cohen, Principal and Studio Director for TCA’s Oakland office. Scheduled to break ground in Q4 of 2016, The Addison is within easy walking distance of BART and bus lines, the Berkeley Repertory Theater, Aurora Theater, the new Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, scores of movie theaters, shops, restaurants, bars and the flagship campus of the University of California. “With this special location, there was a desire by BayRock and TCA to incorporate unique elements to connect us to this vibrant community and participate in the area’s celebration of the arts,” stated Cohen.
The signature art piece for The Addison will be its ‘Poetry Garage Door’, a collaboration between a local poet and artisan, that pays homage to the celebrated “Berkeley Poetry Walk” one block east on Addison Street. The ‘Poetry Garage Door’ is crafted from laser-cut, backlit, metal letters that completely fill the entryway with the poet’s verses. Selection of the local poet and artisan will occur in the coming months with assistance from Berkeley’s Arts Commission.
Completed in 2003, The Berkeley Poetry Walk features 123 poems spanning the history of the city by former US Poet Laureate and Berkeley Professor Robert Haas. Cast in 120 55-pound iron plaques, the individual poems line the sidewalk of Addison Street between Shattuck Avenue and Milvia Street.
TCA’s design for The Addison also features an urban wall mural at the crown of community’s opposite façade, facing south – a location selected for its visibility from neighboring Civic Center Park, where it will appear above the landmarked Veterans Memorial Building. The artist has not yet been selected.
In addition to 107-market rate apartments, The Addison includes 4 very-low-income units reserved for individuals earning half of the area’s average income under California’s Density Bonus Law. The new apartment community replaces an office building that had once been Berkeley’s National Guard Armory with a seven-story structure, representing the first double podium, ‘5 over 2’ project in Berkeley. The new height was achieved by securing an Alternate Means and Methods exception from the city.
Designed and outfitted with superior materials more commonly found in for-sale projects, The Addison features a full complement of modern amenities to accommodate the diverse lives of its residents. The project includes a designated co-working area, private dining area with a catering kitchen, a pet wash, bike shop, media lounge, two outdoor courtyards, and a landscaped rooftop deck with bocce ball area, fire pit, barbeques and breathtaking views of San Francisco Bay. The community’s fitness center is located on the ground floor, further activating the streetscape.
Unique features of The Addison’s sustainable design include parking for 75 bicycles; a panelized rain screen and rainwater cistern that will be used to provide water to the dog wash; and a puzzle lift auto park system that can more densely accommodate up to 68 vehicles.
The Addison is expected to be completed in Q1 2018.
About TCA Architects: Founded in 1993, TCA Architects are nationally recognized leaders in high-density, mixed-use, multifamily housing, dynamic retail and signature hospitality environments. The firm’s collaborative approach and industry leading technological expertise have resulted in award-winning, sustainable projects that respect our communities and the environment. With studios located in Oakland, Los Angeles and Irvine, California, TCA is one of the nation’s fastest growing architectural firms. For more information on TCA, its design talent and current projects, visit www.tca-arch.com