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| 1853 | Oakland City Limits Determined Julius Kellersberger plots the northwest corner of the town for Horace Capentier and his fellow homesteaders. |
| 1870-1896 | Neighborhood Development Five Victorian homes are built on the site besides the Pardee Home and the Sather Mansion. The homes are Queen Ann, Colonial Revival, Itanianate Stick and English Arts and Crafts styles. |
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1911 |
Nile Hall Constructed The Craftsman-style auditorium is added to Frederick Ginn's home to serve as a social hall for the Nile Club, a men's organization. |
| 1915-1970 | Neighborhood Transition Around 1915, as the city grows and families move out of the downtown area, the homes change from being single-family dwellings to rooming houses. During World War II, the Nile Hall is used by the Officers service Club for social events. |
| 1970-1973 | Demolition The city blocks between Grove-Shafter Freeway and Broadway were cleared for future development. Preservation activists saved the five houses in Preservation Park on north 13th Street. |
| 1973-1981 | Homes Added Historic preservationists select an additional 11 Victorians and Craftsman homes to be brought to the site. Most of these homes are moved to make way for I-980, a connector between I-880 and I-580. |
| 1976 | Area Redevelopment The five houses on the north side of 13th street, along with the Unitarian Church are targeted for preservation. Planning begins for an Oakland historic district. |
| 1982-1985 | Redevelopment Begins The five original houses receive historic status from the National Trust of Historic Homes, making them eligible for preservation tax credits. Preservation Ventures, a private developer, begins restoration of the five buildings. |
| 1986 | Redevelopment Stalled Preservation Ventures, stumped by a slowed economy and real estate market, find that it is economically unfeasible for them to complete the restoration. |
| 1987-1988 | Offer to Bramalea The private developer responsible for the City Center redevelopment effort becomes involved with Preservation Park. The significant investment Bramalea has in City Center makes them an interested party in having Preservation Park completed. Bramalea agrees to finish the project, investing its own time and staff, as well as capital, provided it can control the concept. |
Preservation Park Vision
Bramalea envisions Preservation Park as the "Fort Mason of the East Bay",
serving as the counterpart to the San Francisco waterfront cultural center.
The homes would become a business neighborhood, with office space and a small
conference center. Tenants would be non-profit organizations that further cultural,
social and environmental causes. Bramalea offers to serve as agent to the owners
to redevelop the site for use toward public good. The project is treated as
a non-profit and donations of materials and labor are accepted.
Design Team Selection
The Architectural Resources Group of San Francisco is selected to design the
project. Pearson and Johnson of San Francisco is chosen as the builder. Design
work is conducted from 1988 to 1989.
| 1989-1991 | Project Construction Construction of the $7 million project takes place in three phases. |
| Oct. 1991 | Preservation Park Completed The construction is completed on time and under budget. |
| Dec. 1992 | Preservation Park Fully Leased More than 40 tenants occupy the 45,000 square feet of office space in the 16 buildings. Three of the buildings are dedicated to public use: the 2,200 square foot Nile Hall for conventions, community events and wedding receptions; and the Ginn and Robinson Houses for meetings. |
| 1991 - 1994 | Preservation Park Becomes Meetings and Conventions Venue In 1994, Preservation Park has more the 800 room bookings from local, regional, national, and international organizations for their meetings, conventions and special events during 1994. |
| June 1996 | Construction of the Bandstand The terminus of 13th street is marked by an elegant bandstand, destined to become the site of weddings, graduations, and large public gatherings. |
| 2001 | Preservation Park Today Preservation Park is a vibrant community of socially conscious non-profit organizations and small businesses. The Park has become a synergistic environment where like-minded professionals and volunteers work. |
Preservation Park is open to the public, serving as a quiet getaway for downtown office workers and area residents. Visitors enjoy self-guided, architectural tours through the Park, then picnic on the Victorian benches.
In addition, thousands of people come to Preservation Park each year for meetings, conferences, classes and receptions held in one of the Park's meeting rooms, or in the grand Nile Hall auditorium.
For Leasing or Meeting Facility information call 510-874-7580.
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