Project

6230 Claremont senior housing (RCFE)

10mentions

2023first mention

2026last mention

in reviewfinal signal

Summary

Ellis Partners and Spirit Living Group indicated at a May 13 RCPC Consultation Committee meeting that they are not making major design changes to the 203-unit, 85-foot RCFE proposal. They are considering minor modifications: step-backs along Auburn Avenue, adding units on the mezzanine floor, changes to setbacks, and adjustments to underground garage access and utility placement. Planning staff were completing zoning compliance review by June 22. A public meeting was scheduled for June 18 at Rockridge Branch of Oakland Public Library. The project is undergoing CEQA environmental review. RCPC has not yet taken a position and awaits further developer discussions.

residentialmixedhighin-review

6230 Claremont Avenue

Aliases

6230 Claremont Ave. senior housing (Red Cross Blood Bank site)6230 Claremont Avenue (former American Red Cross site) residential development6230 Claremont senior housing (RCFE)6230 Claremont senior living (Ellis Partners / Spirit Living Group)Former Red Cross Donation Center (6230 Claremont Ave)

Timeline

2023_06

6230 Claremont Avenue (former American Red Cross site) residential development

A large (~1 acre) former American Red Cross site at 6230 Claremont Avenue, directly across from Safeway, came on the market. The site includes an existing building with offices (including medical) and a surface parking lot. The offering characterizes residential use — including rooming/dormitory units and traditional apartments — as the most likely use. RCPC's Land Use Chair flagged it as a significant site to monitor, noting student housing may be economically more viable than traditional apartments.

neutralproposedmedium

2025_06

Former Red Cross Donation Center (6230 Claremont Ave)

The former Red Cross Donation Center at 6230 Claremont Avenue, vacated in July 2024, remains for sale. As of February 2025 the Red Cross property management team has been securing the premises against vandals and is in active discussions regarding disposition of the property, promising to share new information with RCPC as plans develop.

neutralunknownlow

2025_09

6230 Claremont senior living (Ellis Partners / Spirit Living Group)

Ellis Partners and Spirit Living Group filed an SB 330 preliminary application with the City of Oakland for a new 7-story, 197-unit senior housing community at 6230 Claremont Avenue, the former Red Cross blood bank site. Units include independent living, assisted living, and memory care. RCPC is monitoring the project and a community meeting was scheduled for September 17.

neutralin-reviewmedium

2025_10

6230 Claremont senior living (Ellis Partners / Spirit Living Group)

At a September 18 community meeting attended by about 50 residents, developers presented detailed plans for the 197-unit senior (over 62) rental facility at the former Red Cross blood bank site. The building is a 7-story Type-1 concrete structure with underground parking. Developers have filed an SB 330 preliminary application and expect to file a full application in fall 2025, targeting entitlements by end of 2026 and opening in late 2028.

mixedin-reviewhigh

2026_01

6230 Claremont Ave. senior housing (Red Cross Blood Bank site)

Proposed 7-story, 203-unit senior residential care facility (159 independent living, 20 assisted living, 24 memory care) on the former American Red Cross Blood Bank site, filed by Ellis Partners and Spirit Living Group. Fully completed land-use application submitted December 19, 2025; standard Oakland Planning Department review with public hearings anticipated.

mixedin-reviewhigh

2026_02

6230 Claremont Ave. senior housing (Red Cross Blood Bank site)

Letters to the editor debate the proposed 203-unit senior care facility at the former Red Cross Blood Bank site. One letter from a former state housing official urges RCPC to support the project without conditions; another from a Rockridge-raised resident urges RCPC to support it as a step toward needed senior housing. The triangle op-ed cross-references it as a '200-unit elder housing development.'

mixedin-reviewhigh

2026_03

6230 Claremont Ave. senior housing (Red Cross Blood Bank site)

Detailed update on the proposed 203-unit Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE) at the former Red Cross Blood Bank. Building described as nearly 85 feet tall with rooftop terrace, 6 residential floors above a 21.5-foot ground floor. Density bonus waivers requested for height (exceeds 55-ft CN-1 limit), setbacks, and driveway placement on Claremont Ave. RCPC Consultation Committee met with developers January 21; RNSH opposes scale and seeks design changes. Public hearings before Oakland Planning Commission possibly as soon as summer 2026.

mixedin-reviewhigh

2026_04

6230 Claremont senior housing (RCFE)

A letter to the editor references a proposed Residential Care Facility for the Elderly at 6230 Claremont and directs readers to a website (6230claremontseniorhousing.com). The letter writer supports the project in principle but asks for a thoughtfully designed building. No article details appear in this issue; the full project article runs in May 2026.

mixedproposedlow

2026_05

6230 Claremont senior housing (RCFE)

Ellis Partners and Spirit Living Group formally applied on March 30 for a 203-unit Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE) at 6230 Claremont Avenue across from Safeway. The facility includes independent, assisted living, and memory care units, stands just under 85 feet with a 21.5-foot ground floor plus six residential floors. Oakland Planning Department accepted the application and began CEQA and zoning compliance review. Approximately 50-60 residents attended a community meeting on March 31 organized by Rockridge Neighbors for Sensible Housing (RNSH), which raised objections to height, bulk, and safety. RCPC appointed a seven-person Consultation Committee.

opposedin-reviewhigh

2026_06

6230 Claremont senior housing (RCFE)

opposedin-reviewhigh

Quotes

“The project's location is the former Red Cross blood bank site at 6230 Claremont Avenue, across from Safeway. The developers are Ellis Partners — who, since 2003, have been active in projects throughout the Bay Area, including in downtown Oakland and at Jack London Square — and the Spirit Living Group, which specializes in the development of Bay Area life care facilities for elderly individuals.”2025_10 - Article by Mark Aaronson, RCPC Board Member

“They hope to have land use entitlements by the end of 2026. They presently have an option to buy the property. The non-profit Red Cross is still the owner and may retain an ownership interest in the developed property.”2025_10 - Article by Mark Aaronson, RCPC Board Member

“The building is being designed with strong architectural features, though not ones reminiscent of the Rockridge arts-and-crafts style.”2025_10 - Article by Mark Aaronson, RCPC Board Member

“The current proposal is for a 7-story building with a total of 203 rental units, which includes 159 independent living units, 20 assisted living units and 24 memory care units.”2026_01 - RCPC Board Member Mark Aaronson article

“[RCPC] strongly supports the sale of the 6230 Claremont Avenue property for a 100% affordable housing development project.”2026_01 - RCPC letter to City officials and private parties, April 2024