Two TCA-designed communities will bring much-needed family housing to the East Bay. AvalonBay’s Avalon and AVA Apartment communities will build 389 apartments fit for families in the mixed-use redevelopment project at Public Market Emeryville. Avalon broke ground in Q3 2016 and AVA is scheduled to break ground next quarter.

TCA designed both buildings to have three-bedroom apartments and child-friendly amenities. Each of these units has views of the amenities so parents can keep an eye on children while they are playing.

“As our major cities continue to contract and urbanize around their city centers, family-friendly communities are the next trend in multifamily design and represent a critical path if we are to retain these growing urban families,” TCA Architects CEO Thomas Cox said.

Avalon will have 222 units at the northern edge of the development and create a seamless connection to Christie Park and nearby residential communities. AVA will offer 167 units in two buildings with a raised walkway connecting to the Emeryville Amtrak Station.

Developing around the pedestrian bridge to the train station proved challenging since it was in the middle of AVA’s original single-structure site plan. TCA ended up splitting the structure into two and extending and enhancing the elevated walkway through the community to create a focal point connecting the Public Market to the rest of the city, according to Cox.

Inspired by New York's High Line Park, the pedestrian Bridgewalk will offer hardscaping, drought-tolerant landscaping, seating areas, lighting, a grand staircase and a retail plaza as it nears the Public Market.