Anchor House: A New Standard for Student Residential Living
Anchor House is a 14-story state-of-the-art residential building located at the Downtown Berkeley gateway to UC Berkeley's campus at the corner of University Avenue and Oxford Way.
Anchor House reimagines the student residential experience by providing a transformational design tailored to the unique needs of transfer students, many of whom come from low-income backgrounds and are often first-generation college students.
A lawn, lush greenery and climbing plants await students in the interior courtyard.
A focal point of the courtyard is a meticulously recreated brick arch that honors the facade of the former University Garage that once stood on the site. Before the garage’s demolition, its facade was laser-measured to ensure an accurate reconstruction, and the bricks and the metal University of California lettering were salvaged. The garage, designed by architect Walther Ratcliff Jr., opened in 1930 for the Richfield Oil Company station and later served the campus’s buses, shuttles and other vehicles.
The main entrance to Anchor House at 1950 Oxford Street has a modern facade with distinctive curved metalwork. It highlights the building’s dedication to integrating historical elements with contemporary design, as well as to resident safety and security through access-controlled doors.
Inside the building's main entrance, Oxford Hall greets students with bookshelves filled with UC Berkeley's Blue & Gold yearbooks that date back to the early 1900s, three large origami bears and other unique art objects and books that evoke school pride.
The fitness center and yoga studio together encompass 8,600 square feet and include state-of-the-art workout equipment and meditative spaces.
Oxford Hall has a central wooden staircase that connects upward to the building's academic and communal offerings: the Berkeley Art Studio West, the Rausser College's Nutritional Sciences Teaching Kitchen, the Sequoia Room and The Pantry. Below the staircase is a lounge area for students to gather, study or relax.
The residential lobby is called The Well and is bathed in natural sunlight from a lightwell in the ceiling that connects to the central courtyard above. The space has soaring ceilings and is a welcoming space for transfer students and their guests.
This outdoor terrace on the second floor overlooks the campus's West Crescent lawn. It's just one of many areas of Anchor House that demonstrates the donor's emphasis on students' wellness and their need for fresh air, natural light and beautiful surroundings.
The Sequoia Room is designed for studying, gatherings and events. It's paneled with wood salvaged from a sequoia tree that naturally fell in Sequoia National Park, California’s oldest national park. It features long wooden tables with ample seating and a prep kitchen. A main feature of the room is a reproduction of California artist Wayne Thiebaud's 1962 "Boston Cremes."
Tucked beneath a large staircase, The Hideaway has a circular entrance that leads to a quiet sanctuary for residents to reflect, relax and recharge.
The Pantry is a versatile space where groups of students can meet and explore their culinary interests. It has a fully-equipped kitchen and a large communal table, plus an adjacent lounge with cozy seating and a library. This hub is a place for residents to connect, collaborate and celebrate.
The two green and verdant living walls that rise up 12 stories in Anchor House's interior courtyard walls contribute to an atmosphere throughout the property of health and vitality.
Anchor House is across the street from UC Berkeley's western edge and close to downtown Berkeley and bus and BART lines. The ground floor will include publicly accessible retail spaces, including a new Cal Student Store, and a new home for UC Berkeley’s Transfer Student Center.
Illuminated at night, Anchor House, UC Berkeley’s state-of-the-art residential building for transfer students, as seen from the West Crescent lawn.
UC Berkeley's Anchor House, a remarkable gift built especially for transfer students.
Anchor House redefines the transfer student living experience at UC Berkeley. The building provides a transformational design tailored to the unique needs of transfer students, many of whom come from low-income backgrounds and are often first-generation college students. More than 95% of UC Berkeley's transfer students come from California, and they comprise more than 20% of all undergraduate students.
At the core of Anchor House is a commitment to fostering a sense of community and belonging. The building features an array of thoughtfully designed spaces to encourage social interaction and support among residents. Large lounges, meeting rooms, and a community kitchen serve as hubs for connection and collaboration. These communal areas are more than just physical spaces; they are integral to building a vibrant, supportive community where transfer students can thrive.
Health and wellness are central to the Anchor House experience. The building boasts an impressive 8,600-square-foot indoor/outdoor fitness center, providing ample opportunities for physical activity and mindfulness. Additional wellness spaces and various outdoor areas—including terraces, balconies, and a central landscaped courtyard—offer serene environments for relaxation and reflection.
Sustainability is a cornerstone of Anchor House’s design. As a certified LEED Gold building, it incorporates numerous eco-friendly features to minimize its environmental impact. A rooftop vegetable garden and energy-efficient appliances are just a few of the sustainable elements that not only promote green living but also provide educational opportunities for students to engage with environmental stewardship.
Another unique feature of Anchor House is its Maker's Space, operated by the Berkeley Art Studio. This innovative space offers classes and resources for creative and hands-on projects, encouraging residents to explore their artistic talents and develop practical skills in a supportive environment.
Inside, 244 fully furnished apartments housing 772 students are designed with comfort and convenience in mind. Single bedrooms with large, openable windows ensure ample natural light and fresh air, while a full kitchen equipped with modern appliances, an in-unit washer and dryer, central air conditioning, and high ceilings create a welcoming living environment. These features collectively support students' academic success and personal well-being.
Beyond providing exceptional living spaces, Anchor House is dedicated to addressing the broader needs of transfer students. Offering housing directly next to campus, reduces the need for students to live further away, fostering greater integration into campus life. Additionally, the new Transfer Student Center offices on the first floor provide easy access to essential support services and resources, further enhancing the student experience.
Best of all, Anchor House is entirely a gift, and a most impressive one. It's from the Helen Diller Foundation and includes the cost of project design, construction, and furnishings. And the gift will keep on giving, in perpetuity: Proceeds from Anchor House’s net operating revenue will fund two-year scholarships for an estimated 400 low-income students at Berkeley each year.
In addition to a unique residential experience for transfer students, Anchor House also offers the campus's first commuter lounge, a place that students who travel to campus via public transit can easily walk to from downtown Berkeley. It offers storage lockers, restrooms, and seating for approximately 225 students.
Additional Information
- Architectural Record: Anchor House Welcomes Transfer Students to UC Berkeley (Dec. 2024)
- Berkeley Housing: Apply to live at Anchor House; Virtual room tours and rates
- Berkeley News: UC Berkeley breaks ground on Anchor House (Feb. 2022)
- Berkeley News: Introducing Anchor House, a remarkable gift for transfer students (Aug. 2024)