Howard University Eyes Downtown Oakland for Satellite Campus

Howard University could join other East Coast schools in setting up outposts in the Bay Area, though the “Black Ivy League” university isn’t looking in San Francisco.

The Washington, D.C.-based school, one of the prominent historically Black colleges and universities, is in early talks with Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee about establishing a satellite campus in the East Bay city, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

“We have had preliminary discussions with Mayor Lee, but it is premature to discuss any real estate endeavors in this area at this time,” a spokesperson for Howard told the Chronicle. Lee, a Howard alum, said in a statement that she has been “leading discussions with Howard University and will continue to engage with them about exploring opportunities in Oakland.”

Howard representatives have reportedly already toured several downtown properties, including the largely vacant Trans Pacific Centre at 1000 Broadway. The school purportedly is eyeing 60,000 square feet at the tower, which would be about one full floor at the 375,000-square-foot building. The property is owned by Florida-based GCB Associates and lost major tenants like the Oakland Unified School District and Cal State East Bay. GCB previously proposed converting the office tower to residential use.

Across the Bay, other universities with San Francisco satellites could breathe new life into emptied-out office buildings.

The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania signed a long-term lease for the entire 80,000-square-foot “Cube” building at 345 Montgomery Street, part of the 555 California Street complex owned by Vornado Realty Trust and the Trump Organization. The world-renowned business school is expected to move into the building in the next year and a half.

Nashville-based Vanderbilt University, meanwhile, is narrowing its search for a place to plant a flag in San Francisco. The research university reportedly has its sights set on the forthcoming 5M Project mixed-use development in South of Market.

In downtown Oakland, local Samuel Merritt University will open its new $240 million campus at 525 12th Street come January. The school is relocating from its current home at 3100 Telegraph Avenue in Pill Hill.

— Chris Malone Méndez