The Brooklyn Presbyterian Church and Parish Hall at 1433 12th Street in Oakland, Alameda County is getting a facelift – and it’s not just any old renovation. Strive Wealth Builders is shaking things up with a bold, adaptive reuse plan that’s set to transform the 1887-built religious facility into a sleek and modern affordable housing and community facility.
The project sponsor recently dropped new renderings that give us a tantalizing glimpse of what’s in store. Plans include a complete interior remodel of the church to create affordable housing units, an eight-room navigation center, counseling services, a multipurpose room, and administrative offices. The cherry on top? They’re planning to use Senate Bill 35 to expedite approval and protect the plans.
But that’s not all. The new building is set to be less than half the height of the towering 107-foot church spire, standing at a respectable 50 feet tall. With 27,990 square feet of space, 21,300 square feet are designated for housing and 5,450 square feet for other uses. Of the 42 units, 23 will be affordable for residents earning less than 50% of the Area Median Income, 18 units for households earning 50-80% AMI, and one unit for an on-site property manager. And while most of the units will be efficiency units, there’s also one two-bedroom unit and two existing one-bedroom units on-site.
What really sets this project apart, however, is the design. AS Architecture is taking a bold approach, with a proposed design that “respects the existing historic building by setting back from the street edge and uses a series of arches to create a formal dialogue between the two structures.” A second-level sky bridge will connect the two buildings, increasing accessibility and creating a stunning visual focal point. With a facade that features corten steel, fiber cement veneer, and tan wood siding, the building is sure to turn heads.
The 0.48-acre property is located in the Clinton neighborhood, just a stone’s throw from the rising Brooklyn Basin waterfront development and San Antonio Park. Plus, it’s just ten minutes away from the Lake Merritt BART Station via AC Transit buses.
This project is a game-changer for the area, and we can’t wait to see it come to life. Stay tuned for more updates on what’s sure to be one of the most exciting adaptive reuse projects in Oakland.
