Construction Underway For 2118 Milvia Street, Downtown Berkeley

Construction has topped out for the Berkeley City College expansion at 2118 Milvia Street in Downtown Berkeley, Alameda County. The six-story structure will bring new educational facilities for the public community college, close to their current primary building at 2050 Center Street. XL Construction is the general contractor responsible for the work.

Berkeley City College expansion aerial view, rendering by Robert Becker for Ratcliff Architects

Berkeley City College expansion, rendering by Robert Becker for Ratcliff Architects

Construction started with a ceremonial groundbreaking in April of last year. Speaking at the groundbreaking event, former Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín remarked that “the new classrooms, the art studios, and the learning resource facilities will help support the next generation of students to have an ample opportunity to thrive.”

The project is expected to cost around $86 million. The roughly 90-foot-tall structure will feature approximately 60,000 square feet of academic facilities, including 15 classrooms, administrative offices, a conference space, and a rooftop deck. Additional facilities will include art studios, learning resources, and student support space.

Berkeley City College entry, rendering by Robert Becker for Ratcliff Architects

Emeryville-based Ratcliff Architects is the project architect. Renderings show the structure will be wrapped with a curtain-wall skin, with exposed concrete columns establishing the ground floor. The design will ensure plenty of natural light flooding the interiors, with a stairwell mural visible from Milvia Street. The new facility is expected to achieve LEED Silver certification.

Berkeley City College is one of four colleges in the Peralta Community College District. The other three institutions are Laney College, Merritt College, and College of Alameda. Berkeley is the newest college within the District, having been established 51 years ago in 1974.

Berkeley City College aerial view of the rooftop deck, rendering by Robert Becker for Ratcliff Architects

According to Peralta CCD, the school has seen increased demand over the years, having enrolled 6,688 students in 2023. Construction at 2118 Milvia Street is the first phase aimed at accommodating more students. Phase 2 will involve the expansion and remodeling of their current facilities at 2050 Center Street, including the addition of classrooms and an expansion of the library.