SF New Developments

Converting old factory buildings into lofts is common in Emeryville, a practice that makes for some interesting, one-of-a-kind places to live.

Among them is Vue46, a new condominium project straddling the Oakland/Emeryville border at 46th and Adeline streets. In 1924, the building was the headquarters for Aluminum Cooking Materials, whose WearEver cookware products are still on the market today, though as part of a French firm.

Now this former manufacturing plant is becoming home to locals in need of starter housing and was awarded the Adaptive Reuse Project of 2008 by Builder & Developer magazine. A collection of artifacts from the building’s past, including original 1920s blueprints and retro advertising artwork, will be on display as part of the common area finishes.

This old WearEver house has been wearing well, and morphed nicely into a second life as one-, two- and three-bedroom condos, townhomes and lofts. Vue46 prices start at just under $300,000, significantly less than projected in 2007 when the homes were pre-marketed with prices starting in the $500,000s, according to material on its Web site.

Views haven’t been discounted, however. Even though it’s just five stories high, thanks to its location in a low-rise neighborhood of mainly single-family homes, most units capture a classic Bay Area panorama: the Oakland/Berkeley hills, Oakland city lights, the Bay Bridge, San Francisco, the Golden Gate and the Marin Headlands.

The floor plans are dubbed New York Flats, London Lofts and Boston Townhouses. Homes start on the second floor with secure indoor and some gated outdoor parking on the ground floor. There are also spots to lock a bike and plenty of hookups for electric cars.

Originally named the 46th Street Lofts, the property added three stories and created 180-degree views from the top floor, providing sufficient cause for a name change. The approved project also involves approximately 3,000 square feet of ground-floor retail/commercial space, including a proposed corner cafe at 46th and Adeline.

Vue46 is a project of Levin Menzies & Associates of Walnut Creek, Kwan Henmi Architects of San Francisco and Barry Swenson Builders of San Jose.

Amenities include a fitness center; media room with big-screen TV and surround sound; controlled access lobby and a courtyard garden on the second floor. Among the available upgrades are wood floors rather than the standard carpet in the living/dining area and washer-dryer and storage unit options.

One-, two- and three-bedroom New York Flats range from approximately 885 to 1,985 square feet on a single level with 10- to 11-foot ceilings. They vary in price from $299,000 to $529,000. Some have private patios on the courtyard level.

All London Lofts have west-facing decks and are one-bedroom plus den floor plans. They range from approximately 1,254 to 1,316 square feet and from $479,000 to $485,000. London Lofts have second-floor bedrooms on an open mezzanine level that overlook the two-story living area below.

The Boston Townhouses are two-story homes with a fully enclosed second-level master suite and a second-level “flex space” open to the living area below. These one-, two- and three-bedroom homes are priced from $489,000 to $610,000 and are available with up to 2,390 square feet of living space. Some have decks with an additional 900 square feet of outdoor space.

The Boston two-bedroom, den plus two-bath – No. 505 – measures about 1,688 square feet. It is entered via a spacious foyer with a large coat closet on the right and the second bath with tub on the left. The second bedroom with double-door entry has a commodious walk-in closet.

The L-shape kitchen, equipped with GE Profile stainless steel appliances plus microwave and Venetian Gold slab countertops with 6-inch backsplash, overlooks the living/dining area. With its enviable corner location and east and south views, it is flooded with light from nearly 16-foot-high windows at the front of the unit.

Open stair risers in sustainably harvested ipe wood lead up to the second-floor “flexspace” that could be used as a den or home office. There’s also enough room below the open stairs for a desk or an entertainment center. The washer-dryer hookups are upstairs, adjacent to the master suite.

The master bedroom is entered through the flex-room with the large walk-in closet to the left. In front of it sits the master bath with dual, counter-mounted vessel sinks and glossy white subway tiles and shower surround.

Monthly homeowner dues range from $354 to $535 and cover water service, trash service, liability insurance, reserve fund and upkeep and maintenance of the property’s amenities. Each home comes with at least one secure parking space. Some of the two- and three-bedroom condos come with two.

The area might appear to be dicey at night, but the secure parking and increasing number of housing and retail developments portend a busier neighborhood in the near future. The property is within a 10-minute walk of the MacArthur BART Station and plenty of local and commuter bus services.

Vue46 has 12 below-market-rate units. But if you qualify as a low- to moderate-income buyer, don’t delay, because half already have been sold.
Vue46

Address: 1001 46th St., Emeryville
Developer: Levin Menzies & Associates
Architect: Kwan Henmi
Prices:

* Junior 1 bedrooms start at $299,000 for 885 square feet.
* 1 bedrooms start at $395,000 for 1100-1200 square feet.
* 2 bedrooms range from low $400s to $529,000.
* 3 bedrooms start at $549,000 for 2100 square feet.

Square feet range: 885-2400 square feet (some with an additional 900 square feet of outdoor space)
Parking: one or two underground spaces
Monthly homeowner dues: $354-$535/ month
Walkability: 80 out of 100, “very walkable” (walkscore.com)