It may have taken more than 15 years to realize, but the redevelopment of a former East Bay Area paint factory into a high-end multifamily complex has been part of Emeryville's transformation into a sought-after neighborhood from an industrial, transit-oriented hub.
The Emery, a 500-unit apartment complex in Emeryville, California, was one of the largest, most complex multifamily developments completed in the Bay Area last year, a feat that earned it a 2023 CoStar Impact Award, according to judges who are real estate professionals familiar with the market. It is surrounded by a number of redevelopment projects in the East Bay city aimed at revitalizing a predominantly industrial area into a liveable, walkable neighborhood.
With the recent completion of the neighboring South Bayfront Pedestrian Bridge, the Emery fills one of the final remaining gaps to link the nearby Bay Street Mall to the rest of the East Bay city, which has long been segmented by the Union Pacific Railroad Yard. Now, however, residents and visitors can take advantage of the community art gallery, newly constructed public streets and the extended Emeryville Greenway, a popular bicycle and pedestrian path.
"Emeryville is a remarkable, culturally rich city that has been waiting for a community with the stature of The Emery to really put it on the map," Jesse Herzog, a regional president with developer Quarterra, said of the project, adding that it was "designed to complement the city's industrial past."
About the project: The project at 4510 Hubbard St. took root in 2006 with the demolition of the Sherwin Williams paint factory. It now includes a mix of amenities and services such as a two-lane bowling alley, rooftop pool with three plunge spas, an outdoor park and indoor spa for dogs, a movie screening room, catering kitchen and a free shuttle to the nearby West Oakland transit station.
What the judges said: "This project removes the eyesore of an old, vacant and long-shut-down manufacturing facility and is the highest and best use that captures the need for additional housing options in a land-deficient market," said CoStar Impact Award Judge and CBRE Field Research Manager Paul Magoria. Michael McGuire, a fellow judge and California Capital & Investment broker added that "the project also delivers affordable housing and many public benefits that will enhance Emeryville significantly."
They made it happen: Jesse Herzog, Desiree Morgan and Nathan Tuttle, all from Lennar Corp. subsidiary Quarterra, spearheaded the development of The Emery, while LPAS Architecture + Design led its design.
