Just north of Oakland’s downtown is the Northgate neighborhood, a mixed-use district consisting of commercial buildings and multi–family residential structures.

The construction of Northgate Apartments in this neighborhood will transform a vacant lot now serving as a tour-bus parking lot into 42 units of affordable housing for low income families. The project is being developed by Resources for Community Development and will employ low income housing tax credit financing.

Nearly two-thirds of the units are 3 and 4 bedroom family housing. The street corner at the ground level is anchored by the community room and manager’s office. At the podium level, the entire project centers around a large courtyard with a tot lot. There are two large and richly landscaped roof gardens accessible to all residents.

The highly articulated street facade is broken down into different wings and free standing ells to reflect the existing residential context. The building’s south side is stepped down to permit maximum penetration of sunlight into the central courtyard.