Talk and thoughts on East Bay businesses and shops

This large and freshly painted two story building is defined as a multi-use property, and spans an entire block.  Especially well located at 4900 Bancroft Avenue in Oakland, it stands ready to offer a wide variety of potential uses to a new owner. 

It offers 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms in 3000 sf of living space.  

There are also valuable additional new features worth noting -the building has a new roof, and an updated sewer lateral.  

It is currently in use as a duplex, but its size, dual levels, and flexible floor plan offer opportunities as a multi level business, offices, or a configuration into multiple living units-it previously contained 5 units.  

The building's set back front door opens onto a set of stairs that lead to the upper…

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(Picture Courtesy of KGO-TV and Bjarke Ingels Group)

The Oakland Athletics announced today that they have chosen a site on the Oakland waterfront as the site for their new proposed stadium.  Located just west of Jack London Square area with its multiple lofts and condos for sale, near the Howard Terminal area, and not far from the newly developing Brooklyn Basin home and condominium project seen below, this stadium promises to be in the center of a great deal of future fan activity, but most importantly, a site close to the many sources of newly developing housing for new residents.

 This proposed 34,000 seat complex is well thought out in terms of its location.  The stadium picture above illustrates some of the pluses. Whether coming from San…

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There is exciting news for those watching the development plans for the Brooklyn Basin project on the Oakland estuary. Potential residents know that  Brooklyn Basin's dramatic mixed use retail and housing development will be a remarkable addition to Oakland's waterfront.  As recently reported by Mark Hedin of the Bay Area News Group , Oakland's Planning Commission, on September 7th, approved the first project for this site.  Designated as the Brooklyn Basin Terraces Apartments, they will feature a mix of 2800 sq. ft. of ground floor retail space, and 241 market-rate apartments.  The builders expect to break ground for these units in early 2017. 

As can be seen by the  illustration above, Brooklyn Basin will be a mixed use residential and…

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 Over the last decade, Oakland has made a commitment to reinvest in the downtown area, with the intention of revitalizing its shops, stores, and overall ambiance.  This has been done with the very specific goal of attracting visitors and Oakland residents alike, to play, live, and enjoy the city.  The result has been new condos, lofts, restaurants, and art venues, all highlighted by the Jack London Square complex, and the soon to be developed Brooklyn Basin complex.  

Much of this development has been tied to a steadily developing concept--a "Walkability Score".  This is a measure of how friendly a neighborhood is to its residents.  How convenient is walking to its shops, parks and schools?  How convenient is its access to transportation to…

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The very much anticipated Brooklyn Basin project is taking its first major step forward towards completion. Construction of the first building is expected to begin before the end of 2016, given anticipated current design approvals, and be completed by late 2018.  Adjacent to a park, with a planned concrete, cement and glass facade, this 308,270 sq.ft., seven story building will be a dramatic step forward towards the start of this immense project.  

As envisioned in the picture above, the Brooklyn Basin project is located at the Oakland waterfront, and will offer amazing views of both the city and the water.  It is planned as a mix of both residential and retail.  13 buildings of residential housing are planned.  As projected, there will be 3100…

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A recent article by Matthew Artz, of bayareanewsgroup, reports some new potential for the continuing growth around the increasingly popular Jack London Square neighborhood.  

Carmel Partners, a developer from San Francisco is in contract to buy two parcels which were previouly occupied by warehousing, and include a full block where Cost Plus, Inc. has its headquarters.  The promise of this negotiation is the building of a 300 unit mid-rise market rate apartment complex, right in the heart of some of this steadily growing commercial and residential area in Oakland.  

The building housing the Cost Plus, Inc. headquarters will need to be demolished to move the project ahead, and before that can proceed, this demolishing must undergo an…

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For much of the rest of the United States, snow and ice are not much fun during the holiday season.  But for those who have moved here from colder climes, or have always wanted to ice skate in the San Francisco Bay area, opportunities exist for friends and families to don skates and glide around an ice rink especially designed to bring winter to town.  All of these venues have hours that should meet the needs of the most determined skater, and many offer skating lessons as well.  

1. San Francisco--Union Square Ice Rink-This rink makes an appearance during December, and is a classic site each year for those shopping in downtown San Francisco.  Sitting in the middle of wonderful shops, stores and boutiques and facing Macy's famous Christmas…

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There are many annual tree lighting ceremonies in and around Oakland, but one of the most consistently popular ones has been the annual Lighting of the Christmas Tree in Jack London Square, located at the foot of Broadway in Oakland.  There will be so much going on from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. designed for all ages, that the choices will be difficult.   

If Christmas shopping is your intent, local artisans will be on hand with their crafts at 90 Holiday Pop Up sites for your consideration.  If you are looking for delightful entertainment, you can choose from the Tap Dancing Christmas Trees, the Oakland Ballet Sugar Plum Fairies, a  Jingle Bell Dance Contest, plus seasonal music and costumed Christmas characters to put you in the holiday mood.  Other…

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Whether you have lived in Oakland or neaby Piedmont, there is a very good chance that you have not discovered all that Oakland has to offer you, and any family and friends that may be in town.  There is a wealth of things to do, no matter what your age.

The website VISIT OAKLAND is a source of amazing information about the city. The site is devoted to subjects like "Things to Do", "Places to Stay", "Where to Meet".  From there, you can decide which direction you want to travel.  As an example, it offers "101 Things To Do--Building Your Own Oakland Bucket List".  This is where the site really shines, because it highlights things you might not even know existed.  How about a learning to fly on a trapeeze at a circus school, or horseback riding in…

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Oakland's Jack London Square has become an amazing venue for both local and international visitors.  Sitting right on the Oakland Estuary, it is a collection of handsome restaurants, shops, and it's famous Sunday Farmer's Market.  It is also the starting off point for the San Francisco Ferry which will take passengers to the City or Marin county.  However, if you want to spend some leisure time on San Francisco Bay, the USS Potomac is the place for you.  There are no high speed trips across the water, just leisurely tours packed with lots of information.

Originally built for the U.S. Coast Guard in 1934, this 165 ft. vessel was renamed the USS Potomac, in 1936, and became Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Presidential Yacht until his death in 1945.  It…

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