GAIA Cultural Center (2116 Allston Way) Berkeley, California
Developer Patrick Kennedy of Panoramic Interests (www.panoramicinterests.com) completed most of the building interior in 2001, with 91 rental apartments (20% of them designated as affordable) as well as space for retail and a small “black box” theater for live performances on the first floor. The architecture hints at the Mediterranean Renaissance style of the Shattuck Hotel on the other side of Shattuck Avenue and includes a charming atrium with a giant chessboard.
By peeking carefully through the portcullis on the right you can see the first floor garage, featuring triple-stacked parking where the cars go into the basement on elevator-like platforms. The developer was allowed to build less than one space per apartment, due to the downtown location; still the tenants have not filled all the parking spaces. There are also several electric vehicles shared by residents for local errands and spaces for City CarShare, an innovative program that rents cars to members in hourly increments.
The proximity to downtown, BART and the university made the project an instant hit with renters, but there was considerable controversy before the project was approved due to the height (7 or 8 stories, depending on how you count), which some opponents felt was excessive. The GAIA Building was approved, with some modifications, partly because the planned cultural center entitled it to a height bonus. Developer Patrick Kennedy is known for handsome infill projects near the urban centers of Berkeley. Moreover, housing and environmental advocates were in strong support of the project as an excellent alternative to auto-oriented sprawl that also provides affordable housing.
Food for thought: Look around downtown—are there other buildings as tall as or taller than the GAIA Building? Is it appropriate to have taller buildings in downtown centers near shopping and transit? Do you think the building is excessively tall or does it add to the downtown?
www.greenbelt.org
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Gaia Building and Cultural Center
The Gaia Building and Cultural Center is a mixed-use project in downtown Berkeley, located directly across from the University of California and the Bay Area’s public mass transit system (BART). Complete in 2001, the Gaia building has 91 housing units and two floors of office and theater space.
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Ecocity Builders worked directly with the architect, developing a series of drawings and concept illustrations for the project.
The project is featured as one component of Ecocity Builders’ “Heart of the City Project” and incorporates terraced roof decks, roof-top gardens, and electric car-sharing.
www.ecocitybuilders.org
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The Gaia Building
2116 Allston Way
Berkeley, CA 94704
General InformationCompleted in 2001
91 one and two bedroom units
Walking distance to UC Berkeley, BART, bus lines, cafes, restaurants and shops
Amenities
Landscaped rooftop gardens and terraces
Bay and hill views
2nd Floor courtyard
High Speed T-1 Internet access
Cable Television
Multiple phone lines in each unit
Features
Laundry rooms on every floor
Built-in furnishings
Ceiling fans
Gas stoves
Microwaves
Dishwashers
Garbage Disposals
Refrigerators
Safety and Security
Modern seismic reinforcement
Fully sprinkled and direct alarm link to Berkeley Fire Department
24-hour entry and video recording
24-hour on-site building management and emergency repair
Secure garage parking available
Phone: 510.849.2000
info@panoramicmanagement.com