Transportation and construction are increasingly tied together in today’s urban planning strategies. Transit-oriented developments, or TODs, are popping up in urban centers to encourage both population density and increased ridership of train, subway, and bus lines. A recent 110-unit development, dubbed The Union, offers residents stylish apartment units just steps from the West Oakland BART Station.
The Union project was devised specifically with modular in mind. Five of The Union’s six stories were constructed using efficient off-site techniques. A traditional concrete podium houses 3,300 square feet of commercial space below the residences.
Typically, a building of this size would take a year to construct. The Union took a few weeks in factory and onsite. Not only did the locally-produced modular units cost less than typical construction, but with fewer trucks and minimal construction activity, the surrounding neighborhood also enjoyed a better overall experience.
In addition to prime location and stylish accommodations, The Union boasts an open garden plaza and a bike terrace on the first floor. Oakland’s 150 miles of interconnected bikeways add to the myriad transportation options available to residents.
