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Interactive Map: Over 2,300 Units in Emeryville Housing Pipeline – Nearly All Expected Rentals

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Emeryville’s latest Major Project Update revealed a whopping 2,307 housing units in the pipeline in various states of planning and approval. All are slated to be rental units.

1,930 of these units are slated to be market rate and 387, or nearly 17%, are slated to be Below Market Rate. This BMR total does not include the 39 units from the proposed 3600 San Pablo Supportive Housing project (No. 22) that would be built on a parcel not yet acquired by the city.

ABAG (Association of Bay Area Governments) has forecast Emeryville nearly doubling its current population of about 12,000 by 2040. Work is already underway to revise these targets, and possibly increase them, through a joint initiative by ABAG and the MTC called Plan Bay Area 2050.

Emeryville’s current average household size is just 1.76 people according to 2010 census data. This would translate to over 4,000 new residents if applied to these 2,307 units. It’s likely this ratio will increase as the city has mandated more “family friendly” housing (units with at least two bedrooms) in its development bonus system. By comparison, the Alameda County average is 2.71 per households which would translate to 6,252 residents.

Emeryville Continues Toward Vast Majority Rental Apartments

All the multifamily projects are expected to be rental apartments. Roughly 65% of Emeryville’s current stock of 6,646 housing units are renter-occupied according to the latest Housing Element analysis. If the current all-rental projects pan-out, this figure could easily balloon to upwards of 75%.

By comparison, about half of Bay Area residents own the home they live in. Homeownership across the U.S. is 64.1 % according to U.S. Census data.

Some projects, like the Sherwin Williams project, are required to record a “condo map” per the city’s development bonus system. Developers are under no obligation or timetable to ever convert them to condominiums.

Reasons developers typically cite for leaning toward building rentals are high construction costs, the high rents these units currently yield as well as the high risk of liability from construction defects.

*BMR – Below Market Rate. Divided into Very Low, Low and Moderate.


MAJOR PROJECTS REPORT


1.) Nady Site

Number of units: 186 Residential (8 BMR*)
Location: 6701 Shellmound Street
Status: Planning Commission  certified Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) and approved project 3/24/16. Demo permit issued 1/18/19 and finalized 3/13/19.

2.) Baker Metal Live/Work

Number of units: 17 Residential/Live/Work
Location: 1265 65th Street
Status: Planning Commission approved 8/27/09.


 3.) Multi-Unit Residential Project

Number of units: 24 Residential (4 BMR*)
Location: 1225 65th Street
Status: Planning Commission study sessions 3/26/15 and 10/22/15.


4.) Ocean Avenue Townhomes

Number of units: 5 Townhomes
Location: 1276 Ocean Avenue
Status: Building permit issued 6/30/11. Permit for revised scope issued 4/23/18 when fees were paid.


 5.) Oceanview Townhomes

Number of units: 3 Townhomes/demolition of existing unit
Location: 1270 Ocean Avenue
Status: City Council approved 7/24/18. Building permit application submitted 4/9/19.


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6.) Ocean Lofts

Number of units: 2 Residential, demo existing house
Location: 1258 Ocean Avenue
Status: Building permits issued 6/7/17. City Council approved modifications to add roof decks on 3/6/18.


7.) Fourplex Expansion

Number of units: Renovation of 4 existing residential units to add FAR.
Location: 1271 64th Street
Status: Building permit approved 7/3/19, ready to be issued pending payment of fees.


8.) Marketplace – Christie Park

Description: Expansion and redesign of existing park as part of PUD.
Status: Grand opening ceremony held 11/29/18. Final inspection pending.


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9a.) Marketplace – Parcel B

Number of units: 167 Residential (18 BMR*)
Location: 5900 Shellmound Street
Status: Planning Commission approved on remand 5/14/19. Appealed to City Council on 5/29/19.

9c2.) Marketplace – Parcel C2

Number of units: 66 Residential (7 BMR*)
Location: 6251 Shellmound Street
Status: Building permit application submitted 8/30/17. Building permit issued 4/6/18.


9d.) Marketplace – Parcel D

Number of units: 233 Residential (25 BMR*)
Location: 6301 Shellmound Street
Status: Building permit issued 2/3/17.


10.) 5850 Shellmound Way

Number of units: 244 Residential (41 BMR*)
Location: 5850 Shellmound Street
Status: Planning Commission study sessions 9/28/17 and 6/28/18. Application filed 5/24/19. Third study session 8/22/19.


11.) Doyle Street Mews

Number of units: 6 Residential, Demo 6 existing units.
Location: 5876-5880 Doyle Street
Status: City Council approved 11/7/17. CC approved one-year extension 1/15/19.


12.) New Residential Unit

Number of units: 1
Location: 5876 Beaudry Street
Status: Planning Commission study session 6/23/16. Planning Commission approved 8/25/16. Building permit issued 8/16/17.


13.) Onni Christie Mixed Use Project

Number of units: 638 (108 BMR*)
Location: 5801-5861 Christie Avenue
Status: Planning Commission study session 12/13/18. Application filed 1/22/19. Second study session 5/23/19.



14.) Duplex Conversion

Number of units: Convert 1 existing unit to a duplex
Location: 1291 55th Street
Status: Planning Commission study session 2/28/19. Planning Commission approved 4/25/19.

15b1.) Sherwin Williams Building B1

Number of units: 64 (11 BMR*)
Location: 1450 Sherwin Avenue
Status: Building permit application submitted 8/6/18. Rough grading permit ready to issue 9/27/18.

15b2.) Sherwin Williams Building B2

Number of units: 139 Residential (22 BMR*)
Location: 1450 Sherwin Avenue
Status: Building permit application submitted 8/6/18. Rough grading permit ready to issue 9/27/18.

15c.) Sherwin Williams Building C

Number of units: 122 Residential (21 BMR*)
Location: 1450 Sherwin Avenue
Status: Building permit application submitted 9/24/18. Rough grading permit ready to issue 9/27/18.

15d.) Sherwin Williams Building D

Number of units: 184 Residential (31 BMR*)
Location: 1450 Sherwin Avenue
Status: Building permit application submitted 9/24/18. Rough grading permit ready to issue 9/27/18.


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16.) 47th Street Homes

Number of units: 6 units (3 Duplexes)
Location: 1034-1042 47th Street
Status: Planning Commission study session tentatively 9/26/19.


17.) New Residential Unit

Number of units: 1 Residential
Location: 1056 45th Street
Status: Building permit issued 8/9/16.


18.) Emeryville Center for the Arts (Commercial)

Location: 4060 Hollis Street
Description: Convert former industrial building into City Art Center.
Status: Planning Commission study session 2/28/19. Planning Commission public hearing tentatively 10/24/19.


19.) The Intersection

Number of units: 105
Location: 3800 San Pablo Avenue
Status: Building permit application to rebuild with modular construction submitted 10/15/18.


20.) Adeline Springs

Number of units: 35 (5 BMR*)
Location: 3637 Adeline Street
Status: Planning Commission approved 3/22/18. Planning Commission approved one-year extension 3/28/19.


21.) Estrella Vista Affordable Housing

Number of units: 86 Residential (86 BMR*)
Location: 3706 San Pablo Avenue
Status: Planning Commission approved one year extension 1/28/16. Building permit issued 6/21/17.


22.) Supportive Housing Project

Number of units: 39 (39 BMR*)
Location: 3600 San Pablo Avenue
Status: City Council study session 5/2/17. Planning Commission study session 5/25/17.


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Nicole Gruen

Nicole Gruen is a top real estate agent at Coldwell Banker who specializes in the East Bay—especially in Emeryville where she lives. After working for 15+ years in Silicon Valley for companies like IBM, NVDIA, and Nestle, she transitioned to pursue real estate, which was a true passion for her. With her extensive knowledge of the East Bay markets, Nicole is a unique agent who combines her data-driven approach and people-first philosophy to help you buy, sell, and market homes with ease.

For more information, visit her website: www.eastbayreal.com

Rob Arias

is a third generation Californian and East Bay native who lived in Emeryville from 2003 to 2021. Rob founded The E'ville Eye in 2011 after being robbed at gunpoint and lamenting the lack of local news coverage. Rob's "day job" is as a creative professional.

15 Comments

  1. The study session last night said it all. The focus of this particular City Council is “how can we make this financially rewarding for developers?” Charlie Bryant’s package needed at least some discussion of a table of rents for these “affordable” and market rate units, which seem to require renters have $3K to $6.5K a month disposable income available for rents, meaning they will need before tax “available for housing” dollars of between $45K – $95K so the developer can have its effective ROI. Additionally, if affordable units are kept to the bottom 2/3 of these buildings, higher level units with views can rent for a lot more, and ONNI is one of these developers who sells coastline views easily for very high rents of over $10K per month for rock star mega-penthouse renters . . . .Scott Donahue discussed having roommates in a multi-bedroom apartment as preparation for having a family. This is second only to his comments about enjoying visiting the Empire State Building as a young man visiting NYC from a Manhattan suburb and ensuring Emeryville follows that model. There is no appreciation at all for livability in the city or the gut-wrenching wretched mess that Shellmound has already become or testing out the impact of the hundreds of unoccupied units yet to come on line in that precise neighborhood. Exactly where is the “transit hub” this council says exists and will mass transit in that area survive massive construction or CALTRANS reconstruction of overpasses on Gilman, University and Asby? Exactly WHY isn’t this city council looking at “closer to BART” housing? IMHO: this city council is a complete and utter boondoggle for developers. let’s call it out accurately.

  2. Seems many of these building permits were approved over a decade ago, I walk past a few of the sites everyday. Its unlikely that we will see completion or even a start in the next 5 years as a few haven’t even got off the ground or are being completed with any urgency.

    The last problem is with so many apartments coming to the market at the same time I fully expect developers to release their stock as a slow trickle to avoid crashing the local home values. But longer term this is great news for investment for local restaurants and entertainment options as having so many people living in small apartments forces them to be outside spending money in the local economy, a hallmark of younger people.

    If you’re an owner of a single family home this data must make you very pleased.

    • The % of residents in Emeryville who are high tech workers who can eat out every night is scant, even here. Young families are drowning in child care and day care expenses; they want to be able to stay here. 60+ seniors want to be able to retire in near-to-the-city locations and many of them are renters, not owners. The actual % of high tech workers and local millionaires here is a minority – not a majority.

      17% “affordable” means an 83% “market” rising tide of market rate (ergo high priced, small) rental units. This plan will just add a bunch more faux granite counters to small rental units with high ceilings. Rest assured, when rents are so high they consume all the oxygen out of a paycheck, that person is eating macaroni and cheese AT HOME.

      • The majority of bars and restaurants in Emeryville and the surrounding areas are filled with people from 20 to 45 years old. I see very few pensioners (and I assume they are on a fixed income) hanging out daily. I would agree that young tech millionaires are a minority, if I was a millionaire I would relocate somewhere with less homeless and trash issues.

        Europe has some great examples of high density living and how this creates a positive environment for local businesses to thrive. Places like London, Berlin, Sydney and New York have thriving small businesses because of the proximity to a large population who work and live close by. They’re also cultural centers which is something Emeryville has managed to maintain.

  3. Does anyone know if the onni 50+ story building is still on track to be built? Or has the developer either scaled it down or pulled out? Haven’t heard much about it in a while.

    • In order for this project to be considered, the city had to address parking minimums (offsite parking requirements), building height restrictions and tower separation (distance between buildings) which are all in the works for the few that have been paying attention. I would expect another study session soon.

  4. Manhattan seems to be the “golden medina” for this current City Council, Planning Department and Commission transforming the Powell Christie area to a Manhattan-like “urban core.” But in addition to the “constant chipping away of regulations in advance of formal developer plan approval, what is wildly concerning is NOT what is mentioned or hammered home at these meetings; it is the MISSING EFFORT AND VOCABULARY that one needs to watch. . . . and that is missing big time, passing along massive boosts in market rental rates as a bonus to life in our “small apple”.

    Manhattan had and has a huge mass transit infrastructure under and above ground to move millions of people, in, through and out of the City, and even that hasn’t proven enough. But here, instead of emphasizing FIRST the basic infrastructure that would support these new building plans, almost of Emeryville’s new housing is projected onto the ONE location next to the ONE thoroughly congested, accident ridden freeway exit in the City and not even next to a BART station. Where is the Council, Planning Department, and Commission’s lobbying for a second tube or BART expansion? Where are the transportation and environmental planning and projects that PRECEDE PROJECTS OF THIS MAGNITUDE? or is it just going to maybe – years later – come along haphazardly, after the fact or NOT. Is everyone from infant to senior going to ride a bicycle day and night? What about the latest bunch of snatch and grab thefts? Is everyone who lives here going to be on a bicycle at night or at MacArthur BART with a patrol car watching out for them? These facets of every day life are simply ignored by this triumverate and this is really concerning.

    Recently, every member of the current city council endorsed a hazard mitigation plan accepting FEMA grant money and making certain pledges in return. It is available on line and at the City’s front desk: https://www.ci.emeryville.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/10132/Local-Hazard-Mitigation-Plan-Update-2019—2024-Final

    It speaks to building heights and earthquake planning, but otherwise, it is really a “throwaway” when these massive development plans and diminished standards and regulation changes are really what is taking place. I’ve seen myself how comments are just ignored as though I haven’t said a word . . . Since only a few residents are coming to these meetings, cocktail party protests won’t do a thing.

    • It’s almost comical the way this current city council is bending over backwards to a development of this kind. It’s so astonishing that what “progressive” creed they have has evaporated with bone-headed decisions they are making.

      Just taking a look at wikipedia (I know, I know) but has described Emeryville as an “edge city”;

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_edge_cities#San_Francisco_Bay_Area

      and is defined as a 20th century creation.

      So much for forward thinking…

      • My hope is that anyone who can will physically attend every possible meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission ongoing . . that is the only way – aside from finding new candidates and voting for other people.

        Even without this new housing where AFFORDABLE UNITS ARE STILL QUITE EXPENSIVE AND UNDER 20% OF THE TOTAL, market rate rentals are sky high, AND the city’s density has increased astronomically anyway as people share their living space and try to get their cost of housing to a more reasonable level.

        I personally feel this City Council and its Planning Commission and planning department are the “chipaways” . . . a lot of erosion under the radar screen while RELENTLESSLY TRYING TO PUSH THROUGH a project without enough merit, FAR FROM BART, and a lot of downside.

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