University Hall is on Oxford Street in Downtown Berkeley.
University Hall as viewed from the southeast, at the corner of Addison Street and Oxford Street in Downtown Berkeley.
The Berkeley Innovation Zone will redevelop a 1.86-acre campus-owned site in downtown Berkeley to create a public-facing node for life sciences, materials science, and climate research. Immediately west of the Crescent Lawn, the zone will have two main buildings separated by a courtyard space. Construction of the south building and courtyard space will begin first, followed by the north building.
Construction Update:
August 9, 2024Interior demolition is currently in progress throughout the building. While noise will be limited, occasional detours for pedestrians and vehicles may be necessary. Exterior chutes have been installed on the building for debris removal, and the removal of exterior windows is scheduled to begin in mid-August 2024. The main demolition of the building structure will start in October 2024 and continue through June 2025. This phase will involve jack-hammering, crane operations, and the removal of debris. Dust control measures will be in place throughout the process, along with periodic detours and traffic controls for pedestrians and vehicles. |
Project Background
University Hall has extensive deferred maintenance, inefficient spaces not sized or configured to meet present program requirements, and aged building systems that have exceeded their intended lifespans. It is also one of the largest campus buildings needing seismic improvement. Analysis has shown that replacing University Hall is more practical than retrofitting the existing building. All of the programs in University Hall have relocated over the past year, and the building is now vacant and ready for demolition.
The demolition of University Hall will begin with interior work and window removal in August 2024. Demolition of the exterior structure will begin in October 2024. This demolition process is expected to take approximately ten months and be completed by the summer of 2025.
Removing University Hall and other university-owned structures on the 1.86-acre site in downtown Berkeley will pave the way for the Berkeley Innovation Zone, a public-facing hub for life sciences, materials science, and climate research. Immediately west of the Crescent Lawn, the zone will have two main buildings separated by a courtyard space. Construction of the south building and courtyard space will begin first, followed by the north building.