Lantana | San Francisco, CA

At the junction of MLK and 16th Streets, downtown Oakland was a neighborhood on the rise, a few minutes' stroll from Lake Merritt, BART and countless restaurants, shops and cultural attractions. Wood Partners recognized the need for new homes in this walkable setting and set out to bring 140 dwellings to the corner.

The challenge was one of scale. A building of this size, in Type VA and IA construction, risked overwhelming a district still finding its form. BDE Architecture partnered with the client to organize the project as two facade types that give the appearance of two smaller buildings, creating a massing more compatible with the burgeoning downtown. A skin of brick, board-form concrete tile, corrugated metal siding and cement plaster adds texture and variety at the street.

Lantana now gives residents a roof deck overlooking Oakland, the Bay and San Francisco beyond, along with an internal courtyard, lobby, lounge and fitness room on the first level. Just as important, it connects 140 households to the ample offerings of downtown Oakland, all within walking distance of their front door.

Address: 625 16th St, Oakland, CA 94612

Client: Wood Partners

Number of Units: 140

Construction Type: VA / IA

Giant modern red brick mixed-use building on a city street at sunset, with cars parked along the sidewalk and other tall buildings in the background.

Modern living room with large floor-to-ceiling windows, a beige sofa, black chairs, a black coffee table with vases, and a patterned rug. There is a white fireplace and wall decor, with outdoor views of buildings and trees.

Cityscape showing tall modern buildings with a construction crane on one building, during sunset over a downtown area.