Thomas Berkley Square
Michael Willis Architects

The Thomas Berkley Square office building provides 102,000 square feet of office space for the County of Alameda in an elegant four-story building with parking for 150 cars and 5500 square feet of retail space.  MWA is responsible for both the core and shell as well as the interior architecture of this design-build collaboration.  The design provides a richly textured, respectful building with a forward-looking character, resulting in a much needed positive presence in the neighborhood.  The building fronts on San Pablo Avenue and this diagonal street is highlighted through two prominent corner elements, one of which is an entry tower.  The office space is extremely efficient, flexible and incorporates plentiful natural light through generous exterior windows.  Views from the building are expansive since the surrounding neighborhood is low in scale.  The outlook to the east and south from the upper two floors is particularly dramatic, including sights of Lake Merritt and downtown.  The pre-cast concrete facade will have a warm, golden color and is animated through sunshades and stone accents.

Parking for 150 vehicles is provided in an adjacent three floor parking structure.  This garage is set back from the street to provide generous landscaped areas as well as allow for future housing to constructed.be

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