Key Development Areas: Downtown

Downtown Oakland is the commercial and cultural heart of San Francisco’s East Bay. The revitalized 350-block commercial district is home to shops, restaurants, cafes, entertainment venues and art galleries, as well as major corporations and local businesses. An eclectic blend of classic and contemporary architecture offers tremendous opportunities for additional office, dining, entertainment and retail. Many of the older, historic buildings have been renovated, enhancing downtown’s distinct, elegant character. Tree-lined streets, landscaped plazas, quaint courtyards and direct access via public transit make downtown pedestrian and commuter-friendly.

In recent years, scores of new businesses and residents have moved into the downtown – and the 75,000-person daily workforce continues to expand. The Landauer Index ranked Oakland the #1 office market in the nation through 2005. Major new features include 555 City Center, Shorenstein’s spectacular 21-story office tower and thousands of market-rate housing units spurred by former Mayor Jerry Brown’s drive to attract 10,000 new downtown residents.

In late 2005, Brandywine Realty Trust broke ground on the nine-story, 215,000 sq. ft. Center Twenty-One. This is the first speculative commercial project in downtown Oakland since Shorenstein's 555 City Center project was completed in 2002.

From the corporate towers of City Center to the exotic shops of Chinatown, downtown offers a rich urban environment for shoppers, workers and residents. Its architectural legacy of beautifully-crafted buildings lends a distinct experience not replicated by suburban office parks and retail centers.

Downtown is ripe with opportunity, offering businesses and investors a strategic location on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay, with easy access via four major freeways. A major transit hub, downtown is the epicenter of the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) light rail system. Another important feature is an extensive fiber-optic cable infrastructure that provides Oakland with global connectivity.

• Nation's #1 office market through 2005
• Extensive fiber-optic infrastructure a major asset for businesses seeking immediate access to global markets
• 76,655 daytime workers - continued growth expected
• Dynamic cultural center featuring symphony, opera, theater and major concerts, in addition to movie theaters, nightclubs, coffee houses, museums, galleries and public art
• Part of the Central District Redevelopment Area
• Ideally suited for continued office growth and retail expansion to meet unmet local and regional demand

Be sure to visit the Central District Redevelopment Area's Web Page.

For commercial tenant, local incentives and district details on a parcel in Downtown, click here to visit Oakland Explorer.