Skyline of California's most liberal city to change forever as construction starts on 23-story tower
A 23-story tower is set to change a Californian city skyline forever as it will become the tallest building in Berkeley. The Bancroft-Fulton Residence will offer homes for students at UC Berkeley and is set to contain 1,625 beds and feature amenities such as a fitness center, music rooms, a wellness studio, meeting spaces and a 500-seat dining space, according to a March university newsletter. Construction of the tower on the city's Southside begun last month and the newsletter said: 'We look forward to welcoming our first group of residents in fall 2028.'Kyle Gibson, a spokesperson for the university, told the Daily Mail: 'UC Berkeley is deeply committed to expanding campus housing options that allow our students to thrive, succeed, and fully immerse themselves in the transformative experience our university offers.'We recognize that stable, quality housing in close proximity to campus is a cornerstone of student success, and increasing our residential capacity remains a top campus priority.'The Bancroft-Fulton project represents a significant step forward in this mission.'The dorm building, in what has regularly been dubbed California's most liberal city, will be targeted to freshmen and is set to hold single rooms, doubles and triples. The news was welcomed on Facebook.One person wrote: 'YES, WAY MORE high rise dorms, apartments, Manhattanize Berkeley. Ignore the view snobs... they are making life miserable for young people just to protect their equity.' A rendering of the Bancroft-Fulton Residence, on the corner of Bancroft Way and Fulton Street in UC Berkeley Construction on the building began last month. Berkeley is pictured with the city of Oakland in the background The student population of UC Berkeley saw 7,657 new transfer and first year students enrolled in the fall semester of 2024. The academic year saw a total of 45,882 students enrolledAnother added: 'Great, about time Berkeley had some new dorms.'A third said: 'I'm pro university funded dormitories. They serve a real purpose.'But some said that the building would take away from the feeling that many students come to Berkeley to attain. 'So much for the small town, hip feel of Berkeley,' one wrote. Rents are expected to be similar to current prices, which range from $1,500 and $2,200 per month, as well as a mandatory $6,500 annual meal plan cost. 'There are many for rent signs around Berkeley. You never used to see that. The vacancies in the new buildings seem to be mostly unaffordable,' another said. 'Berkeley is becoming a city of big walls and on top of that the designs are pretty uninteresting. You'd expect more from this town given its history. I believe a lot of this development is a dumping ground for big investors who don't know where else to put their money,' they continued. The additional accommdations, according to Gibson, 'will provide more students the opportunity to live where they learn' and 'foster a stronger sense of community,' ensuring that their experience at the university is 'accessible and supportive for all.' A rendering of what the entrance to the new building will look like. It is expected to welcome students in fall 2028 Berkeley has added around 2,400 beds since 2018, including Blackwell Hall and Anchor House, in an attempt to address housing concerns for students. Another rendering is pictured The building will cover around 340,000sq ft and has been designed by KieranTimberlake, a Philadelphia based architecture firm Renderings of the building display a modern looking design, with floor to ceiling windows and a gray exteriorThe building will reach 276ft making it the tallest in the city, surpassing the 185ft office tower on Shattuck Avenue. It will reach around 340,000sq ft and has been designed by KieranTimberlake, a Philadelphia based architecture firm. Renderings of the building display a modern looking design, with floor to ceiling windows and a gray exterior. The building comes after the university faced calls for additional housing, as students cram triples into double rooms while the city booms with students. Berkeley has added around 2,400 beds since 2018, including Blackwell Hall and Anchor House, in an attempt to address the university's growing populationAccording to the university, the student population saw 7,657 new, transfer and first year students enrolled in the fall semester of 2024. This current academic year saw a total of 45,882 students enrolled.
