The lobby at Oakland's 300 Lakeside—a premier mid-century office tower—has been transformed into a dynamic destination: a modernized, amenity-driven space popular with tenants and visitors alike, while respecting the historical integrity of the building.

Designed by distinguished architect Welton Beckett and built in 1960, Kaiser Center—regarded as a masterpiece of midcentury architecture—remains a bold, unique fixture in Oakland's skyline. The 28-story, class A office tower initially served as the headquarters for Kaiser Industries: a leading manufacturer of construction materials. Many of the building’s innovations were Kaiser Industry products.

Seeking to continue Kaiser Center's position as Oakland's leading office building for tenants, the building owners turned to the design team to reposition the public-facing first and second floors of the building to include an enhanced lobby and elevators, café, tenant conference center, building management offices, wellness center, and outdoor landscaping. Our design approach sought to achieve the right balance in respecting the historical integrity of the tower while creating a modernized, amenity-driven space attractive to today's tenants.

The lobby has been reconfigured to maximize its connection to Lake Merritt. A two-story travertine wall and terrazzo staircase anchors the west side of the lobby providing visitors with clear wayfinding between floors and expanding the views of Lake Merritt. By opening the central lobby space, it create a greater visual connection to the newly landscaped outdoor seating area overlooking Lake Merritt, providing opportunities for respite.

In the lobby, furniture, materials and details are a nod to the midcentury tower. Materials include, fumed eucalyptus veneer, travertine, terrazzo, acid etched mirror, blackened stainless steel and bronze. Site specific art was also commissioned for the space. The result is a dynamic, fresh entrance that continues to position Kaiser Center as one of Oakland's leading office buildings.

Photography: Garrett Rowland