Posted inOpinion

Op-ed: Berkeley deserves better than 2211 Harold Way

2211 Harold Way is one of several tall building proposals in the pipeline that must offer “significant community benefits” under the Downtown Area Plan. Image: MVEI Architecture and Planning 2211 Harold Way is one of several tall building proposals in the pipeline that must offer “significant community benefits” under the Downtown Area Plan. Image: MVEI […]

Posted inBusiness, City, Community, Housing & Development

Berkeley council says affordable housing, union labor should be priority community benefits

Around 90 people lined up at a May 5 Berkeley City Council meeting to discuss community benefits. Photo: Frances Dinkelspiel The Berkeley City Council took its first steps Tuesday to prioritize which community benefits it will require from developers, and affordable housing and local union jobs were the top priorities. Council members said other priorities […]

Posted inCity, Housing & Development

Berkeley officials seek feedback on ‘community benefits’

2211 Harold Way is one of several tall building proposals in the pipeline that must offer “significant community benefits” under the Downtown Area Plan. Image: MVEI Architecture and Planning 2211 Harold Way is one of several tall building proposals in the pipeline that must offer “significant community benefits” under the Downtown Area Plan. Image: MVEI […]

Posted inHousing & Development, Schools

View from UC Berkeley Campanile will not be landmarked

The view from the UC Berkeley Campanile looking west toward San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge is iconic, but it should not be landmarked, the Landmarks Preservation Commission decided Thursday, April 2. The 5-3 vote, with one abstention, came after almost four hours of testimony from residents who are concerned that a proposed 18-story […]

Posted inBusiness, City, Housing & Development

Developer of downtown Berkeley hotel offers ‘tapered’ tower; hopes for quick design review

The new plans for the 18-story hotel at 2129 Shattuck Ave. Photo: JRDV Architects Berkeley’s Design Review Committee will get an early peek this week of new, revised plans for the high-rise hotel on Shattuck Avenue and Center Street â€” part of the developers’ push to get the project through the planning process quickly. The plan […]

Posted inBusiness, City, Housing & Development

Berkeley Zoning Board considers community benefits of proposed downtown high-rise

2211 Harold Way. Image: MVEI Architecture and Planning As Berkeley officials grappled with what the concept of “community benefits” actually means, the developer of the 18-story high rise at 2211 Harold Way announced at a Jan. 8 meeting of the Zoning Adjustments Board that he is willing to financially assist both the Habitot Children’s Museum and […]

Posted inHousing & Development

Locals question Berkeley Plaza impact on theater, view

2211 Harold Way is set to stand nearly 200 feet tall and include about 300 units. Image: MVEI Architecture and Planning Residents came out en masse Thursday night to testify before Berkeley’s Zoning Adjustments Board about possible impacts related to a large mixed-use project planned downtown on Harold Way. The Residences at Berkeley Plaza, at Harold and Kittredge Street, would […]

Posted inCity, Housing & Development

Berkeley hotel plans halted pending initiative vote

The developer for a downtown Berkeley hotel proposal said his plans are on hold pending November’s election. (Click the image to see the December 2013 submission from the project team.) Image: JRDV Urban International The developer for a downtown Berkeley hotel proposal said his plans are on hold pending November’s election. (Click the image to […]