Mandela Station

Mandela Station transforms a former West Oakland BART parking lot into a vibrant transit-oriented mixed-use community that advances affordable housing while contributing to the ongoing revitalization of West Oakland. Located adjacent to one of the Bay Area’s key transit hubs, the development replaces an underutilized surface parking lot with 240 affordable modular residences above approximately 16,000 square feet of ground-floor retail, creating a more active and connected urban environment. A significant aspect of the project involved adapting a previously entitled stick-built design into a modular construction solution, demonstrating a strategic approach to accelerating housing delivery while maintaining architectural quality and urban design goals. The seven-story podium-style building features a bold, multi-colored façade with articulated balconies and varied window patterns that break down the scale of the structure and create visual interest along the street. Ground-floor retail activates the pedestrian experience and strengthens connections between the development, surrounding neighborhood, and regional transit network. By combining high-density affordable housing, modular innovation, and transit-oriented planning, Mandela Station serves as a model for sustainable urban growth and reflects a thoughtful approach to addressing housing needs in one of the region’s most dynamic communities.