Park Ave Live-Work Studios

The most contemporary structure on this walking tour, the aesthetic of these studios pays homage to Emeryville’s industrial past.

The corrugated metal-sided, sawtooth-roof studios at 1425 Park were designed by local architect Joseph Costarella and built by Levine Construction of Berkeley. Costarella is also one of the designers of the nearby Horton Street Lofts.

The 6-unit, 3-level structure was originally constructed down the street at Emery & 45th streets in 1991 next to what was a Pepsi-Cola bottling plant and adjacent to the vast Del Monte Cannery Plant No. 35.

In 1993, Kaiser Permanente acquired the adjacent properties and bought out the six individual owners of the building with the intent of demolishing them and building a new hospital on the site. In 1995, amid strong community pressure, Kaiser put these plans on hold, eventually abandoning the project.

In 1997, Pixar Animation Studios began exploring the site for relocation of their Point Richmond campus and the building was sold by Kaiser to Fordham Properties. Fordham moved it to its current location the following year.

The lot where this building is currently located was previously a vacant yard in between buildings that were at one point occupied by Industrial Hard Chrome Plating Corporation (1421 Park Avenue) and part of the Apollo Crematory (1447 Park Avenue).

The rear of the lot also has a fitness studio within one of the original structures.