Located on a former parking lot adjacent to one of San Francisco’s busiest BART stations and nestled against Oakland’s I-580 freeway, MacArthur Commons reimagines a once car-centric site into a vibrant, pedestrian-oriented village. This mid-rise housing development brings 400 new homes, retail and flex spaces, and a public mews to the heart of Oakland, all designed at an intimate residential scale that’s grounded in the area’s rich history.
The design of MacArthur Commons reflects a thoughtful transition from a past of garages and parking lots to a lively, community-focused environment. Street-level pathways, communal courtyards, and people-friendly landscapes infuse the area with energy, while a colorful, eye-catching exterior welcomes travelers from the nearby BART station to this dynamic neighborhood. Spanning two parcels of an 8-acre vacant lot, the development’s three distinct buildings offer diverse living experiences for Oakland’s young professionals and families, with easy access to major transit lines, bus shuttles, and ample bike parking.
Each building responds to its surrounding environment in its own unique way. The building adjacent to the BART station features a façade that echoes the movement of transit, with vibrant green, gray, and black patterns evoking the feeling of speeding cars. Inside, modern, clean, and efficient units open onto a rooftop lounge with sweeping views of the city. The courtyard building, MacArthur Commons’ largest structure, offers spacious apartments and ground-floor retail, with its strong, white exterior corners and balconies designed to attract pedestrians along Telegraph Avenue. The corner building balances its bold urban presence at the busy intersection with a quieter, more private residential experience on a neighboring side street, its red walk-up units gradually transitioning to calmer, restful spaces.
At the heart of the development, the shared public mews serves as a buffer from the highway, featuring an outdoor kitchen and raised planting beds, offering a serene space for relaxation and community gathering. This thoughtfully designed space encapsulates the overall vision for MacArthur Commons—catalyzing the neighborhood’s growth through architecture that integrates seamlessly into the existing urban fabric while standing out with its artistic character and vibrant spirit.
