Uptown Oakland Surges, Downtown Oakland Stalls

Uptown Oakland is the new downtown.

Oakland developers are pushing ahead with plans to transform the city’s former Auto Row uptown into a vibrant, walkable neighborhood bounded by Broadway and Harrison Street and 27th Street and Grand Avenue, the San Francisco Business Times reported.

At the forefront is Holland Partner Group, whose executive managing director, John Wayland, highlighted the firm’s new Lark and Vespr apartment towers at 24th and Harrison streets.

With glass facades and ground-floor retail, the buildings aim to anchor a bustling corridor extending to Whole Foods Market nearby. Leases are already signed with buzzworthy tenants, including Flour & Water Pizza Shop and Tartes de Feybesse, a James Beard-awarded bakery.

“The goal is to attract people back onto the streets,” Wayland of the Vancouver, Washington-based company told the Business Times. “We’re trying to curate a real experience.”

The effort is part of a broader movement by developers and property owners to revitalize the uptown area and surrounding blocks.

Much of this growth stems from the 2014 Broadway Valdez District Specific Plan, which rezoned the area for dense, mixed-use development. Once filled with derelict lots and car dealerships, the district has since ushered in hundreds of new apartments.

However, many projects launched before the pandemic now face a changed market. A glut of new units and weak demand have driven down rents and, in some cases, forced distressed sales.

The Martin Group’s 1889 Harrison recently sold for $61 million — half its assessed value and below the property’s debt.

Still, uptown remains a relative bright spot. Office vacancy sits at 21 percent, compared to 38.2 percent downtown, while foot traffic has consistently outpaced the city center, according to Avison Young.

Large employers like PG&E and Marqeta have planted headquarters nearby, while cultural events like Oakland First Fridays are drawing growing crowds.

Real estate investor Isaac Abid of locally based Lakeside Group is spearheading Northlake, a privately funded initiative aiming to activate the area between 19th and 27th streets with cleaning services, events and a planned 20,000-square-foot town square.

“There are over 2,500 new residents in this neighborhood,” Abid told the Business Times. “Let’s bring them out.”

Despite setbacks, Wayland remains optimistic. “The success of their retail and of their buildings adds to our success,” he said. “We want to lift all boats.” — Dana Bartholomew

Correction: This story has been edited to reflect that Auto Row uptown is a neighborhood bounded by Broadway and Harrison Street and 27th Street and Grand Avenue.