Modern High-Rise Living with Scenic Lake Merritt Views
The Essex on Lake Merritt is a striking 21-story high-rise designed by the renowned SmithGroup, completed in 2001. Located on the picturesque shores of Lake Merritt in Oakland, this building offers 270 condominium units. Its modern design features a curved facade, extensive use of glass, and a flat roof, providing residents with breathtaking views of the lake, hills, and cityscape. The Essex combines the vibrancy of urban living with the tranquility of nature, making it a sought-after residence in the Lakeside neighborhood.
Diverse Floor Plans with Stunning Views and Modern Amenities
The Essex on Lake Merritt offers a variety of floor plans to suit different lifestyles, ranging from cozy studios to spacious two-bedroom units. Studio units, sized between 641 and 666 square feet, feature open-concept designs that maximize natural light, with large windows offering stunning views of the lake and city. These units typically include one bathroom and modern kitchens with stainless steel appliances and ample cabinetry.
One-bedroom units range from 641 to 996 square feet and are designed with flexibility in mind. Many of these units feature alcoves perfect for a home office setup, walk-in closets, and in-unit washer and dryer. Prices for one-bedroom units range from $429,000 to $618,357.5, making them an attractive option for those seeking a balance of space and affordability.
The two-bedroom units, ranging from 1,075 to 1,512 square feet, offer one to two bathrooms and are ideal for families or those needing extra space. These units boast features such as hardwood floors, granite kitchen countertops, and spacious living areas perfect for entertaining. Prices for two-bedroom units range from $850,000 to $929,000. All units in The Essex come with dual-pane windows that provide excellent insulation and soundproofing, ensuring a peaceful living environment. Monthly HOA fees range from $800 to $1,000, covering common area maintenance, earthquake insurance, exterior maintenance, hazard insurance, management fee, reserves, security/gate fee, water/sewer, and ground maintenance.
Comprehensive Amenities for a Comfortable and Convenient Lifestyle
The Essex on Lake Merritt offers a wide range of amenities designed to enhance the living experience of its residents. The building features a sparkling heated pool, a hot tub, and a spa, providing perfect spots for relaxation and leisure. Fitness enthusiasts will appreciate the well-equipped gym and fitness center, which includes Nautilus equipment and free weights.
For those who work from home or need business facilities, The Essex provides a business center, conference room, and computer room, all equipped with high-speed internet. The clubhouse and great room are ideal for social gatherings and events, while the library offers a quiet space for reading and study.
Security and convenience are top priorities at The Essex. The building has a 24/7 lobby attendant, controlled-access underground parking, and a gated entry. Additional services include a concierge, doorman, and front desk attendant who can receive packages and coordinate services such as dry cleaning. The building also features elevator access from the garage, ensuring easy and secure entry for residents.
Outdoor amenities include a barbecue area, grassy-green patch, and a party room, perfect for hosting gatherings and enjoying the beautiful surroundings. The Essex truly offers a comprehensive suite of amenities that cater to a variety of needs and lifestyles.
Vibrant Lakeside Living with Urban Conveniences
The Essex on Lake Merritt is situated in the Lakeside neighborhood, a prime location that offers the best of both urban and natural environments. Residents can enjoy the scenic beauty of Lake Merritt, often referred to as The Jewel of Oakland, with its sparkling waters and surrounding parks. Lakeside Park, the largest natural attraction in the area, features multiple gardens, a mini putting green, and spaces for seasonal gatherings.
The neighborhood is primarily residential, providing a peaceful atmosphere with the aesthetics of a bustling cityscape. Downtown Oakland is just minutes away, offering a diverse culinary scene with restaurants serving Mediterranean, Mexican, and Vietnamese cuisine. Popular dining spots include Falafel Boy, Pho 84, and The Lake Chalet Seafood Bar & Grill, which offers upscale seafood with waterfront views.
For shopping, residents have convenient access to Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and Sprouts Farmers Market. The Grandlake/Lakeshore shopping corridor and boutique shops along Grand Avenue and Lakeshore Avenue provide additional retail options. Cultural attractions such as the Oakland Museum, Fox Theater, and Paramount Theater are also nearby, offering a rich array of entertainment and cultural experiences.
The area is served by the Oakland Unified School District, with schools such as Lincoln Elementary School, Westlake Middle School, and Oakland Technical High School providing educational opportunities for families. The neighborhood's blend of natural beauty, urban amenities, and cultural attractions makes it a highly desirable place to live.
Excellent Connectivity with Multiple Transportation Options
The Essex on Lake Merritt offers excellent connectivity, making it easy for residents to navigate the city and beyond. The building is conveniently located near several BART stations, including the 19th St Oakland Station and Lake Merritt Station, both within a 10-minute walk. These stations provide access to major transit lines such as Fremont - Richmond, Pittsburg/Bay Point - San Francisco International, and Richmond - Millbrae, facilitating easy commutes to various parts of the Bay Area.
For those who prefer bus transportation, several bus stops are within a short walking distance, including 14th St & Oak St, 12th St & Oak St, and Madison Nb. These stops serve multiple transit lines, offering routes to destinations such as San Antonio, High St, Alameda Pt., and San Leandro BART.
The building's proximity to major highways, including Interstates 980 and 880, ensures convenient driving access to San Francisco and other Bay Area locations. For international travel, the Metro Oakland International Airport is approximately 15 minutes away by car, while the San Francisco International Airport is about a 35-minute drive.
The Essex also provides car-related amenities such as controlled-access underground parking, gated parking, and elevator access from the garage, ensuring secure and convenient vehicle storage. With a Walk Score of 95, residents can easily walk to nearby amenities, while the excellent transit and bike scores highlight the area's accessibility and connectivity.
Association fees include common area maintenance, common heating, common hot water, exterior maintenance, management fee, trash, water/sewer, insurance
Essex House Association, Phone Number (510) 267-0791
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Quantarium
Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Moderate Crime
Crime Score®
5/ 10
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
89/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
95/ 100
Excellent Transit
Transit Score®
84/ 100
Sources: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Walk Score
Sources: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Walk Score
WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Powered by CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks. Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Environmental risk data is provided by First Street Foundation® and is designed to approximate risk and not intended to include all possible scenarios.
Parks in this Area
Snow Park
5 min walk
Trails
Playground
Peralta Park
10 min walk
Bike Trails
Trails
River
Lincoln Square Park
12 min walk
Basketball
Tennis
Playground
Frank H. Ogawa Plaza
13 min walk
Trails
Events
Amphitheater
Henry J. Kaiser Memorial Park
13 min walk
Trails
Wilma Chan Park
14 min walk
Basketball
Tennis
Trails
Pittman Green
14 min walk
Lakeside Park
2 min drive
Lake
Picnic Area
Events
Chinese Garden Park
2 min drive
Trails
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Disclaimer: Please note that this building may not be in these schools' attendance zones.
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