457 – 475 Minna: designing a different model for high-density urban housing that builds real community and connection for the forgotten middle class.
Brick worked with Starcity to scale up their proven co-living concept and add value by pursuing affordable housing density bonuses, streamlining approvals using SB35, and delivering design that makes luxury apartment developers green with envy. Starcity’s answer to the Bay Area’s intense housing shortage and astronomical rents is a modern, conceirge-supported twist on communal living, featuring beautifully appointed shared spaces, gourmet kitchens, and practical amenities. Starcity’s projects offer efficient bedroom suites—complete with ensuite baths—and individual rents that normal people can afford. In the heart of San Francisco, 457-475 Minna takes affordable housing one step closer to utopia.
Designed for an alley lot comprising four parcels, the Minna project fits 270 units on sixteen neatly stacked floors. The skinny lot gave brick the opportunity to design perfect double-loaded corridors with units that face out to the street or rear yard patios. The ample street frontage creates a strong community vibe ideal for Starcity residents, who enjoy free bike sharing as well as secure parking for 76 bikes.
Fast-tracked approvals. By using SB35, the project was entitled in San Francisco in six months, a process that normally takes three to four years! 457-475 Minna also utilizes the 35% state density bonus to deliver 53% of the co-living units as much-needed affordable housing.
Designed for community. Common spaces are tucked into the building’s center core: professional kitchens with multiple ranges and refrigerators, gracious dining/lounge areas, and laundry on every floor. Glass wraps the corners of the building, celebrating shared living spaces. The building will also feature public art on the exterior end-walls. A large roof deck offers great views to downtown and plenty of room to barbecue with friends.
gather, cook, socialize, get active, or cocoon: starcity’s co-living is designed for an easy, fun, and engaging lifestyle.
Budget conscious, people-friendly. Right from the start, the brick team worked with the contractor and subconsultant team within an integrated project delivery (IPD) format to make sure the design was easily buildable and within budget. This seamless collaboration also allowed brick to refine the details of the units for maximum efficiency and comfort.
Designed in coordination with the Lane Partners, a developer with impressive experience in large-scale tech projects, 2016 Telegraph will provide a cozy home base for those who want to live, work, play, and thrive in the heart of Uptown Oakland.
With comfort inside and easy access to the arts, transit, gourmet food, shopping and more; brick’s new mixed-use tower has in mind the city-dweller who looks to maintain a healthy work-life balance within close urban boundaries. With this model of localized, bicycle-commuting residents in mind, brick forewent the standard parking garage, choosing instead to utilize that extra space in more creative ways to provide further amenities.
The developers looked to achieve a high-density area of housing in order to comfortably accommodate as many residents as possible – in line with their vision of Oakland’s future as a bustling tech hub. The building provides Oakland with 230 new market-rate homes where there was once nothing but a parking lot, giving residents everything they need (and more.)
The developers looked to achieve a high-density area of housing in order to comfortably accommodate as many residents as possible – in line with their vision of Oakland’s future as a bustling tech hub. The building provides Oakland with 230 new market-rate homes where there was once nothing but a parking lot, giving residents everything they need (and more.)
steps from BART, this bike-friendly tower is designed
for the future of urban living.
Quality materials and generous ceiling heights invite residents to relax and socialize in the variety of shared amenities, such as the resident’s lobby – a welcome respite from the lively commercial district just outside
Quality materials and generous ceiling heights invite residents to relax and socialize in the variety of shared amenities, such as the resident’s lobby – a welcome respite from the lively commercial district just outside
back to work.
