The Arlington | Oakland, CA

In the heart of downtown Oakland, ten late 19th century buildings span two city blocks. Known together as Old Oakland, they are considered by many the best example of Victorian Commercial Architecture on the West Coast, a legacy that needed active care to remain part of the city's working life.

Peter Sullivan & Associates took on that responsibility, with the goal of keeping these historic buildings occupied, safe and relevant for offices and shops. The trials were many and ongoing: facades in need of restoration and, in places, replacement; seismic upgrades for structures of their age; ADA compliance; and a steady stream of office and retail tenant improvements. BDE served as the project architect for 15 years, guiding the client through each of these efforts while respecting the historic fabric.

Today The Arlington holds 95,000 SF of offices and 66,000 SF of retail. The long partnership has helped two city blocks of Victorian commercial buildings continue to serve downtown Oakland, giving businesses a place to work and keeping a celebrated piece of the city's architectural history in everyday use.

Address: 492 9th St, Oakland, CA 94607

Client: Peter Sullivan & Associates

Offices: 95,000 SF

Retail: 66,000 SF

Sign for The Arlington at 492 Ninth Street, with decorative architectural details and fall leaves in the foreground.
Close-up of an ornate building facade with decorative columns and a black arched sign reading 'The Arlington, 492 Ninth St' in gold letters.
City street in San Francisco with historic Victorian-style buildings on the left, modern high-rise buildings in the background, parked cars, and a bus stop with pedestrians, trees with changing leaves, and a traffic light at sunset.
Interior of a well-lit, multi-story building with cream-colored walls, white railings, several windows, and a small seating area with black chairs and a tree glade in a pot.
Street scene in a historic downtown area during fall, with pedestrians walking, trees with fall foliage, historic brick buildings, and parked cars.