Tech & R&D
Had to list the tech and R&D investment first. This $200+ million investment is what’s driving so much of the new West Oakland. It’s bringing new commercial tenants, climbing gyms, restaurants, retail amenities, and more to the neighborhood. These redevelopments are still being completed, and with lots more to come.
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ScanlanKemperBard (SKB) is investing $140+ million to transform the 440,000 sq ft American Steel complex into a Class A manufacturing and R&D campus. Tenants span advanced technology companies including bio-engineering, drone tech, space communications, and clean energy.
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srmErnst is developing 11+ properties totaling 150,000+ sq ft for early-stage R&D and advanced manufacturing companies, with $65+ million invested across 8 of the properties.
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The Oakland 2045 General Plan Update proposes a formal tech & research hub in West Oakland around Mandela and West Grand. Under the proposal, zoning would limit new development to only uses that support technology and research-related activities (like life sciences), as well as advanced manufacturing, artisan production, and other businesses that support these activities. Oakland continues to revise the draft framework and will share its next version in October 2026.
Retail
A new retail district is developing around Prescott Market, which has been a huge success. Tons of families visit every week, live music on weekends, and Ballers baseball next door at Raimondi Park. As more consumer-facing shops open up nearby, this area is quickly becoming the core commercial spot for the Prescott neighborhood.
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Two-floor clay studio opening at 18th and Peralta, next door to the Bandaloop dance studio. Construction ongoing and aiming to open May 2026.
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New running store, located inside the Pacific Pipe climbing gym complex.
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Photo lab offering film processing, scanning, and printing services. Moved in March 2025 from their former space on Peralta Street to a larger 7,500 sq ft space at 1625 16th St.
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Monthly outdoor vintage market hosted at Prescott Market.
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Newly renovated warehouse retail location on Campbell St.
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Plant & specialty home goods shop.
Groceries
West Oakland has long been underserved on groceries. The weekly farmer’s market helps, and a new Costco plus a neighborhood supermarket in the Prescott area are both in active discussion. Either would be a major win for everyday access to fresh food.
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Discussions ongoing to bring a Costco to the parcel at West Grand and Wake.
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srmErnst is actively looking for a space to bring a supermarket to the Prescott neighborhood.
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Weekly farmer's market.
Food & Drink
The food scene is legit in West Oakland. A Michelin-starred restaurant, new bakeries by Michelin-trained chefs, some of the best pizza at June’s, and Prescott Market adding tons of options. West Oakland is becoming a top Bay Area food destination.
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Bakery by James Beard-nominated pastry chef Melissa Chou, located in the O2 Artisans Aggregate space.
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Bakery from a former baker at Michelin-starred Quince, located in the O2 Artisans Aggregate space.
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Coffee shop in a new location at 13th & Wood St.
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Food hall with 6 restaurants, a bar, cafe, live music on weekends, a 400+ seat outdoor patio, sandbox kids play area, and weekly events. Vendors include FOB West, Almanac beer garden, Fast Times, Pizzeria Violetta, Cafe Noir, Fatto a Mano, Highwire, and Woo Can Cook.
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Burger and shakes spot.
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Coffee shop in the Clawson neighborhood.
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Acclaimed California cuisine. Awarded a 2025 Michelin star and named a 2026 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Award Semifinalist.
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Wood-fired sourdough pizzas covered in shaved parmesan. DJ sets some nights; considered by many to be the best pizza in the Bay.
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Brewery next door to June's Pizza.
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Coffee shop next to the Pacific Pipe climbing gym.
Housing
Only the biggest recent housing developments are listed here. Hundreds of new affordable units have come online in the last couple years. More entries coming soon.
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235 new units of affordable housing, plus 18,300 sq ft of ground floor commercial. Located near Raimondi Park and Prescott Market.
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100 new units of affordable housing.
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79 new units of affordable housing, plus 16,750 sq ft of commercial.
Infrastructure
Years of deferred street maintenance are finally getting attention, with repaving, new bike lanes, roundabouts, and traffic calming. Transformation projects are in the works too. The West Oakland BART redevelopment and the West Oakland Link will completely reshape the neighborhood in the coming years.
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Major transit-oriented development planned to bring 762 housing units, 300,000 sq ft of office, and 53,000 sq ft of retail. Preconstruction partial lot closure started Feb 2026; affordable housing construction begins May 2026.
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Complete streets project on 18th St from Mandela to Market. Construction expected summer 2026.
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Elevated pedestrian and bicycle pathway connecting Mandela Parkway to the Bay Bridge. Construction on the Interim West Oakland Link is expected in 2027.
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Street repaving between Wood St and Mandela Pkwy.
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Road diet and new bike lanes on West Grand.
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Repaved streets, new roundabouts, and bulbouts.
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Streets repaved, new sidewalks built, and rail from the former railroad removed.
Entertainment
The Ballers have given the neighborhood a hometown team to cheer for, and it’s a big draw bringing people to the neighborhood for their 1st time. The renovation of the Continental Club has also been huge, bringing popular shows, live music, and comedy to the neighborhood.
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Renovated bar and event venue hosting comedy, live music, and dancing.
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Independent Pioneer League baseball team based at Raimondi Park. Launched after the A's left; won their first league championship in 2025.
Wellness & Fitness
Anchored by Pacific Pipe, the largest climbing gym in the country, this has become one of West Oakland’s strongest draws. Fitness and wellness businesses keep choosing to relocate here.
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Gym that moved from their old space in Old Oakland to a new, much larger 13,600 sq ft space across at 1668 14th Street (right across from Willow Park). Should be opening soon, hopefully in May 2026.
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Communal bathhouse with tubs, saunas, and rooftop bathing, planned for summer 2026 in the O2 Artisans Aggregate space.
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New 8,000 sq ft home for the vertical dance studio.
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The largest climbing gym in the country.
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Small gym that relocated from Berkeley to West Oakland.
Parks
Raimondi Park is the big recent win, renovated and now home to the Ballers ballpark, plus free community events like outdoor movie nights.
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Renovated public park and home of the new 4,000+ seat Oakland Ballers ballpark. Hosts community events like free outdoor movie nights.
Future Retail
Available leases that could become neighborhood-serving storefronts like retail, food, and fitness. Warehouses and R&D space excluded.
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3,000 sq ft retail space available for lease in a flatiron Victorian building at 1624 Peralta St. Zoned HBX-2, with approved uses including retail, medical, financial services, fitness, and limited creative office. Really cool building and located next to Prescott Market. Would add more momentum to this hotspot if more consumer facing commercial is added.
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New construction ground floor retail space available at Prescott Station (2121 Wood St); total 16,000+ sq ft available across multiple spaces. Described as perfect space for breweries, coffee roasters, fitness studios, neighborhood groceries, or service-based retail (hair salons, art galleries, cafes). This is close to Raimondi Park and Prescott Market, and will add even more momentum to this retail location once spots fill up.
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3 commercial units available for lease, located in the Station House townhome development. 2 units available at 1761-1763 16th St, and the 3rd unit available at 14th & Wood St.
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Entire building at 1545 Willow St is for sale; former Trouble Coffee cafe was located in a part of this building. Will be interesting to see if any or all of the building will be used for consumer facing retail. It's a nice looking building (could use street trees planted around it), and would be a killer spot for a multi-unit retail space.
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srmErnst continues acquiring properties near their R&D campus. One of the properties includes 1829 Mandela Parkway, former home of Kilovolt Coffee. They're currently renovating the space. Since the property was previously retail, there's hopefully a chance it'll remain retail.