Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts
Organization Overview
Oakland’s Beaux-Arts Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts reopens as a revitalized civic landmark after two decades, uniting preservation, seismic upgrade, sustainability, and full accessibility. The adaptive reuse restores a cultural hub, delivering flexible venues, renewed public connection to Lake Merritt, and a permanent home for diverse community arts.
Award
Finalist
Category
2026 Architecture
Project Team
Architect: Heller Manus Architects
Client: Orton Development, Inc
General Contractor: Build Group
Project/Construction Manager: Orton Development, Inc
Interiors: Heller Manus Architects
Planning: Heller Manus Architects
Developer: Orton Development, Inc
Landscape: Sandis
Civil Engineer: Sandis
Structural: Nabih Youssef Structural Engineers, Huntington Design, Murphy Burr Curry
Mechanical: Syska Hennessy / Design Build under GC
Electrical: Syska Hennessy / Design Build under GC
Plumbing: Syska Hennessy / Design Build under GC
Fire Protection: Syska Hennessy / Design Build under GC
Lighting: Auerbach Glasow
Acoustics: Paoletti Consultants
TheaterAudio Visual: Shalleck Collaborative, Inc.
Rendering: Heller Manus Architects
Photography: Scott Hargis Photo
Code Consultant: The Fire Consultants, Inc
Accessibility Compliance: Endelman & Associates
Leed credits: Green Expectations
Commissioning: LP Consulting Engineers, Inc.
Historic Preservation application: Preservation Architecture
Graphics & Signage: Clearstory, Inc.
Specifications: Topflight
Geotechnical: Gannett Fleming
Waterproofing: Simpson Gumpertz Heger
Tax Credit: Equity Vommunity Buildfers
Property Owner: Oakland Economic & Workforce Development, Oakland City Planning, Oakland Building Department
Client: Orton Development, Inc
General Contractor: Build Group
Project/Construction Manager: Orton Development, Inc
Interiors: Heller Manus Architects
Planning: Heller Manus Architects
Developer: Orton Development, Inc
Landscape: Sandis
Civil Engineer: Sandis
Structural: Nabih Youssef Structural Engineers, Huntington Design, Murphy Burr Curry
Mechanical: Syska Hennessy / Design Build under GC
Electrical: Syska Hennessy / Design Build under GC
Plumbing: Syska Hennessy / Design Build under GC
Fire Protection: Syska Hennessy / Design Build under GC
Lighting: Auerbach Glasow
Acoustics: Paoletti Consultants
TheaterAudio Visual: Shalleck Collaborative, Inc.
Rendering: Heller Manus Architects
Photography: Scott Hargis Photo
Code Consultant: The Fire Consultants, Inc
Accessibility Compliance: Endelman & Associates
Leed credits: Green Expectations
Commissioning: LP Consulting Engineers, Inc.
Historic Preservation application: Preservation Architecture
Graphics & Signage: Clearstory, Inc.
Specifications: Topflight
Geotechnical: Gannett Fleming
Waterproofing: Simpson Gumpertz Heger
Tax Credit: Equity Vommunity Buildfers
Property Owner: Oakland Economic & Workforce Development, Oakland City Planning, Oakland Building Department