ALAMEDA — The design of a building proposed for Alameda Point that will feature 200 apartments and 10,000 square feet of commercial space will be back before the Planning Board on Monday.
Known as “Block 9,” the building will be bordered by West Atlantic Avenue and Orion Street — plus two streets that still must be built — and will be within walking distance of where a new ferry terminal is planned.
The project also would feature a 1,400-square-foot rooftop deck and lounge where up to 95 people at a time could gather and look at sweeping views of the San Francisco skyline.
The location at the former Alameda Naval Air Station is part of what city officials call “Site A,” an area totaling about 68 acres where the overall $500 million project calls for 800 apartments, townhomes and condominiums and up 600,000 square feet of commercial space.
In December 2017, the Planning Board approved a design review for the building and block but wanted portions of it adjusted before final approval, which could now happen Monday.
The design revisions along the building’s West Atlantic Avenue side include an additional corner window and concrete spandrels to highlight its horizontal features, transom windows on the rooftop deck and a perforated metal screen that will separate the building’s garage from an interior courtyard.
Bamboo will help screen the garage from the courtyard. A row of trees will line the outside sidewalk skirting the building. City officials are recommending the board approve the final design.
Andrew Thomas, the city’s assistant community development director, said the rooftop deck and lounge will boost recreational opportunities for future residents and visitors to the neighborhood.
“In common with the other common recreational facilities in the building, the major public open spaces and parks immediately adjacent to the building and within two blocks of the building on the waterfront and the planned 5-plus miles of shoreline and bike trails at Alameda Point provide the residents of this building with ample active and passive recreational opportunities within close proximity,” Thomas said.
Pyatok Architecture and Urban Design of Oakland and Orinda’s Jett Landscape Architecture and Design are behind “Block 9,” along with Cypress Equity Investments out of Los Angeles.
The overall developer of “Site A” is Alameda Point Partners. It includes Madison Marquette, Thompson Dorfman Partners and SRM Ernst Development Partners, which was behind the VF Outdoor campus and the Peet’s Coffee & Tea roasting facility at the Harbor Bay Business Park near Oakland International Airport. It is led by Alameda resident Joe Ernst.
A groundbreaking is expected in April on construction to get infrastructure improvements in place. The Planning Board will meet at 7 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 2263 Santa Clara Ave. in Alameda.