Anyone know about this part of Oakland?

[jade408]

Originally Posted by bmw335xi

Back to Oakland...it sounds like the area around these lofts needs another 5, 10, or 15 years before it becomes more desirable. I'm curious as to why these lofts are more expensive per sq ft compared to say some of the new lofts around Kennedy Tract across from Alameda.

I think the PCL is still on bubble prices. They launched in 2008. They have hardly lowered the prices, and they started significantly cheaper than the other lofts in West Oakland. They also are targeting SF people. The prices look great if you are comparing it to SOMA.

I can't wait till they finish up the actual 16th Street Station though, that is one grand building.

[Nineties Flava]

Originally Posted by jade408

The 880 route to the Bay Bridge is absolutely the least congested option during the commute time. When I took transbay from Alameda, it was 15 minutes (in the carpool lane obviously). It probably is pretty good. It should be a little better than 580, both 580 and 880 are easily 30% faster than coming from 80W. BART of course is always a good option, but there are no seats by the time it gets to Oakland.

I live by the Harrison exit in Oakland, and it takes 15 minutes to get to SF in the carpool lane in the AM. It should be pretty similar from that point as well. Keep in mind it is only like 10 miles. When there is no traffice, it takes about 12 or 14 minutes to get to downtown SF. Once you get through the toll plaza, traffic tends to flow pretty well unless there is a ton of fog or a lane closure.

Jack London of course is also a good loft option. I did like vue 46 in emeryville, but I think it is a bit overpriced.

I think Kennedy Tract is pretty cheap because there isn't much transit, and the amenities are all in Alameda or a few miles away. IT is also still "up and coming" but I have a female friend who lives over there, she is a doctor so she has weird hours, and she feels totally safe coming home late/etc. I also think there were quite a few foreclosures already, so you are on wave 2 of the selling of the lofts. They sold during the peak, and have now fallen into the more logical prices. The lofts at Jack London are more "desirable" since they are better for walking/transit/closer to BART. The Kennedy Tract ones are a short drive from everything, 2 miles or less to JAck London, downtown Oakland and Alameda. Bus service should improve in the next couple of years. A huge development also broke ground not to far away, Oak to Ninth, and that will really help the resale value. This area is way closer to developed neighborhoods and way more connected to the rest of town.

The Kennedy Tract is basically the Jingletown area... the transit is the Fruitvale BART and the buses that go up and down International (the 1) and that go up and down Fruitvale Ave to Alameda or Dimond District (the 21, 20 and the 39). The amenities are in Alameda and on the Fruitvale & International corridor along with Dimond District. Jingletown certainly isn't in the middle of nowhere but its not the most happening neighborhood either.