Modera Berkeley | Berkeley, CA

On University Avenue in Berkeley, a block of historic and landmark facades stood as reminders of the city's past, steps from local shops, restaurants, public transportation and the UC Berkeley campus. Mill Creek Residential saw the opportunity to bring new life to this urban infill site, adding 205 homes and 35,000 square feet of commercial space without erasing the character that made the block distinctive.

The challenge was as delicate as it was complex. Three historic facades had to be rehabilitated while new construction rose within and above them, and a separate ground-up building had to accommodate parking and at-grade live-work lofts. Blending Type IIIA and Type IA construction across old and new fabric demanded careful coordination at every turn. BDE Architecture worked alongside Mill Creek Residential to knit these pieces together, honoring the landmarks while meeting the needs of contemporary city living.

Completed in 2021, Modera Berkeley gives residents expansive roof decks with outdoor kitchens, trellises, lawns and exercise areas, along with large landscaped courtyards with water features at grade. For the city, it returns a historic streetscape to active use and places new neighbors within easy reach of the shops, transit and campus nearby.

Address: 2133 University Ave, Berkeley, CA, 94704

Client: Mill Creek Residential

Number of Units: 205

Construction Type: IIIA / IA

Year Completed: 2021

Photographer: Isabelle Eubanks (2024)

City street corner with multi-story buildings, traffic lights, street signs, and pedestrians.
A city street with a large multi-story beige building, trees, parked cars, a streetlamp, and a lamppost, under a clear blue sky.
A rooftop terrace with a ping pong table, wooden flooring, potted plants, and a modern wooden and concrete building against a clear blue sky.
Modern outdoor patio area with seating, greenery, and a tall building with horizontal wooden slats, under a clear blue sky.
Modern interior lounge area with large arched and rectangular windows, a beige sofa, orange armchairs, a black coffee table, and a patterned rug.
Rooftop garden with potted pink flowers, small green lawn, lounge chairs, and a tree against a city skyline with tall buildings.
Modern rooftop patio with outdoor seating, garden, a built-in grill, and a high-rise building in the background under a clear blue sky.
Indoor lounge area with brick wall, ceiling lights, a flat-screen TV, pool table, and seating furniture.
A rectangular beige planter with green plants in front of a brick wall with metal beams and surveillance cameras.