Oakland Welcomes Luxury in 1717 Webster
After many years working with Andrew Bramasco, it’s always a good day when we can team up and explore a new development in one of the most interesting and eclectic areas of the country. For this job we headed out to 1717 Webster in downtown Oakland to experience and ultimately document the work done there by an absolute dream team of individuals who came together to make this development the most sought after luxury apartment complex in the region.
This complex first draws you in utilizing the commanding geometric art installation created by none other than Rob Ley. As more and more utilitarian spaces remember the importance of art in day to day life, we are seeing these thoughtful touches in more spaces. Human beings are designed to be surrounded by beauty, art and grandeur and this is certainly something that Rob Ley specializes in bringing to the real estate domain. Rob Ley has designed quite a few of these installations over the years and his award winning designs have been featured across the country twice over. By incorporating some of his stunning work, I believe that this complex has elevated the experience for those who reside within to a higher level than a simple dwelling- it becomes an expression of the people within and commands attention before you ever even enter the building.
Once you get past the work of Rob Ley, you’re then greeted by the signage on the front of this property. Created and installed by WeidnerCA, a company which specializes in urban development and commercial branding, the stately 1717 Webster sign which is seated front and center reminds all who see it that this particular development has clearly thought of everything. It’s not imposing but does demand that you recognize you are now standing at an important point within oakland. That this is not simply an apartment complex but a luxury landmark that commands attention, respect and poise. Again, 1717 Webster is complimented by geometry and clean, straight lines that draw you into the building's personality.
For this shoot we were also able to draw inspiration from Susan Marinello Interiors within their amazing work staging and designing this space to reflect the interdisciplinary charm of the downtown area. Bold colors, clean lines and a mixture of both the masculine and feminine provide a flow to the space that you don’t see every day. As we’ve worked within real estate over the years I have seen a multitude of design levels and it’s always immediately apparent when you walk in if the interior team has a grasp on the project, and Susan Marinello never disappoints, as the work performed by their firm is invariably perfect for whatever area they have taken their talents to. With a resume which spans much of the west coast, Susan Marinello Interiors has intertwined their brand of design into the very fiber of the area.
For this shoot, Holland Partner Group got us in touch with a litany of models that elevated the shooting experience and brought that human element that we seek out in much of our work. As our group lounged around the pool and highlighted the beautifully designed architecture, I began to think about just how much time must have been put into these decisions. How long did Solomon Cordwell Buenz spend signing off on this rooftop pool and glass enclosure? Who all thought to include the massive list of amenities that Webster contains? What must the blueprint for a project of this scale entail? Who chose the quartz for the countertops? I’m sure that Solomon Cordwell Buenz has plenty of experience with these decisions, after having built a portfolio of over 600 projects. But when you’re one guy standing there with a camera and crew, you start to feel pretty small surrounded by all of this detail.
All in all, I don’t have to convince anyone that 1717 Webster is THE place to live in Oakland. Anyone who walks past the art, signage, amenity list, design and every other aspect I have detailed here can see that for themselves. But as this development moves further and people begin to recognize the importance of living life to the fullest, I expect to see many more developments in the area follow in the footsteps of firms like Holland Partner Group. I’m excited to see the long term impact of developers recognizing the importance of large interdisciplinary teams such as the one who made Webster what it is today. I’m excited to see buildings and complexes and real estate move toward embracing the culture and variety of the areas they are in, rather than defaulting to the utilitarian.
Developer: Holland Partner Group
Architect: Solomon Cordwell Buenz
Interior Design: Susan Marinello Interiors
