Architects: Shell & Core; Heller-Manus

Urban In-Fill Housing in Air Rights over Parking Structure

A prototype for urban in-fill sites, The Terraces is a 101-unit loft and condominium building situated in an air-rights parcel over a 700-car parking garage. The Terraces capitalizes on this location above the 4-story parking structure as it provides a separation from the street, enhancing privacy and security as well as maximizing views of the San Francisco Bay and Berkeley Hills. The addition of housing also increased the value of the parking structure, which was built to support adjacent Amtrak station and nearly 1 million square feet of neighboring Class A office space. The Terraces is a Type I (concrete) structure that features single-story flats and two-level lofts based on 11-foot floor plates (22-foot floor plates in the loft units), gourmet kitchens with granite counters and gas ranges, and contemporary open floor plans. First class amenities include a fitness center, saunas and locker rooms, business center, and private theater.

Interior Design: Ultimate Interiors

Interior Architect: McLaren, Vasquez, Emsick and Partners

The Terraces was jointly developed by Wareham Development Group, a commercial developer responsible for the Emerystation campus, and Thompson|Dorfman, who were engaged to provide residential expertise particularly in the areas of product, program, and implementation of the sales strategy. The principals of Thompson|Dorfman directed the design to operate either as a rental community or as a for-sale condominium to offer ownership flexibility to respond to changing conditions in the housing markets during design, entitlement, and construction phases of this development. In addition the program recognizes that there is a similar resident profile for luxury rental and for-sale properties. Six months before completion, foreseeing a continued low interest rate environment, the decision was made to execute the condominium sales program. This resulted in completion and sell-out of The Terraces in 2003 at prices that were 10% above projections.