With San Francisco mired in housing unaffordability, Oakland seems like a natural alternative for those being priced out of the market. Similarly, companies expanding their footprint in the Bay Area are considering Oakland for its plentiful source of comparably cheap office space. Online ride-hailing service Uber is just one of the tech giants investing in the future of the city. Through developer Lane Partners and Walton Street Capital, they purchased a 380,000-square-foot building that, along with Oakland itself, is undergoing a swift transformation. 

Rendering of Uptown Station by day, image via Gensler

The former Sears building at 1955 Broadway is being upgraded to offer creative office space and vibrant retail. The restoration of the 1929 Beaux Arts-style building is being carried out by Gensler, who are marrying the structure's historic character with demands for flexible and engaging office space. Concrete floors, original brick facades, and exposed 15-foot ceilings create a dynamic and urban workplace environment within an upgraded building to be dubbed Uptown Station.

Rendering of Uptown Station by night, image via Gensler

Located on a lively corridor lined with entertainment venues, boutique shops, and restaurants, the development is perched atop the 19th Street BART station, providing essential connections to the Bay Area. The building would be the home base for approximately 2,000 Uber employees, many of whom will likely relocate to the East Bay area, assisting in Oakland's long-term rejuvenation. 

Uptown Station's ground-level retail, image via Gensler

Initially spotted on BuildZoom, an online contractor marketplace and database, an $8 million permit for structural upgrades has been filed with the Oakland building department. The work will target the first floor atrium and some staircases, indicating progress on the development's tenant-focused improvements. An updated Google Street View image shows the building wrapped in protective covering as renovations to both the exterior and interior continue towards the scheduled 2017 delivery date.

A July 2016 capture of the site, image retrieved from Google Street View

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