Emeryville Warehouse Lofts

Built in 1925 for a fruit-drying company, this 158,000-square-foot steel-reinforced concrete block has long been one of the most prominent structures on the Emeryville skyline — capped by the signature rooftop water tower. The 1999 conversion by Rick Holliday and David Baker won Golden Nugget and Builder's Choice awards.

142 live/work lofts with the massive concrete frame doing the character work, plus newer street-level lofts with roll-up doors along Park Avenue. The building anchors Emeryville's Park Avenue arts district, minutes from the Bay Bridge approach — the East Bay conversion with the strongest commuter story.