Development is booming throughout the East Bay. More land is available than in San Francisco and rising rents are allowing projects to pencil.

Ratcliff Architects principal Bill Blessing moderated a discussion with panelists during a recent Bisnow event in Oakland about some of their biggest East Bay projects. These projects will add much-needed life science, revamped retail and multifamily to the area.

EmeryStation

Wareham Development is adding 265k SF of life science, research and medical office space to its EmeryStation campus in Emeryville. It also will expand the intermodal component of the commuter station, which includes an Amtrak station, according to Wareham Development partner James Goddard.

The development includes a two-story parking structure built on an existing parking lot that will expand the parking capacity, according to project designer Perkins+Will S+T leader Bob Bracamonte. It will provide access for buses that link to the local train station.

EmeryStation is a good glimpse into the future of transportation-oriented projects designed around urban and residential cores, Bracamonte said.

The new building includes a third-floor terrace that connects to a bridge over the train tracks to the Public Market. The sunny terrace area also will be available for public access, Bracamonte said.

The development is expected to be completed by Q3 2017, Goddard said.

Public Market

Eric F. Anderson CEO Kristin Anderson said her firm is working on a renovation of Emeryville’s Public Market. The renovation of the 22k SF food hall will include the addition of 450 units of housing, 43k SF of additional retail and restaurants, and expansion and renovation of Christie Park. The site already includes 50k SF of office and retail.

Anderson said pre-construction is underway for a 35k SF retail grocery space right across the train tracks. The New Seasons Market will open in the fall.

The soil has high levels of methane gas that will require the firm to do all the underground utilities and layout for trenching during shell construction. She said this adds a layer of complexity to the construction process.

Underground construction begins this month with construction underway by April.

MacArthur Commons

Hines’ MacArthur Commons will add over 400 apartment units right next to BART. The project will be split into three buildings on two acres and offer a fitness center, a pool and 20k SF of retail, according to Hines senior managing director Paul Paradis. Construction is underway, and Paradis expects people to start living there within 18 months.

“We think it’s going to be a great place to live and get to work,” Paradis said.

The site is walkable and is near BART. Residents can walk to restaurants or retail. When Hines bought the project, it already had a draft from BRIDGE Housing and was fully entitled. Paradis said the overall experience with Oakland has been positive.