The Sierra

Location: Oakland, CA
Developer: Crescent Heights
Completion: Summer 2003

Located in Oakland’s Jack London neighborhood, the Sierra is a 500,000 sq ft mixed-use development which includes ground floor retail stores, 227 loft style condominium units, a recreational facility, and three levels of parking. This six-story building occupies the entire city block. The open space includes decks at the top floor level with dramatic elliptical roof openings, which provide panoramic views and highlight the building’s urban location. The courtyard design blends a mixture of elements – bright yellow stucco pilasters, steel deck and railing support, natural wood decking and screen walls, and landscaping.

Photo Credits: Cesar Rubio

Awards + Publications
San Francisco Chronicle, July 21, p. A23 “London Calling”, The Sierra. Oakland, CA

San Francisco Chronicle, July 21, p. A27 “Lofty goals for Oakland warehouse district”, The Sierra. Oakland, CA

Berkeley Voice, January 10, p. B2 “Leading residential developer enters Bay Area market” The Sierra. Oakland, CA

Oakland Tribune, Sunday, May 4, p. B1 “Lofty Living”, The Sierra. Oakland, CA

East Bay AIA Design Awards Program - Merit Award for Architecture, The Sierra. Oakland, CA.

Oakland, July/August issue, p. 86–91, “Living Aloft”, The Sierra. Oakland, CA

arcCA, February issue, p. 26–27, “Design Review in San Francisco: Three Perspectives”, Elephant Pharmacy and The Sierra. Berkeley and Oakland, CA

Archnews, February issue, p. 8, “Firm Profile: Kava Massih Architects” Bentley School, UC Berkeley Public Health Library, and The Sierra. Lafayette, Berkeley, and Oakland, CA

Architecture of the San Francisco Bay: A History & Guide by Mitchell Schwarzer, 2007 © William Stout Publishers. The Sierra p. 148 and Bentley School Gymnasium p. 158.