El Portal Place

Project Details

In a unique public-private partnership, Overaa renovated an old building in San Pablo to accommodate 54 residential units. The project provides permanent supportive housing for 60 people experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness. The design-build, adaptive reuse project reimagines the two-level, 27,000 SF building as a community of small residences of approximately 300 square feet each, with ADA-adaptable bathrooms and kitchenettes. The program includes recreation areas, a dog park, EV parking, and provisions for a future residents’ garden and roof top solar array.

Fun fact: Jerry Overaa built the original office building in 1970. Fifty-four years later, his grandson, Jared, spearheaded its conversion.

Owner
Contra Costa County
Location
San Pablo, California
Awards
El Portal Place Permanent Supportive Housing ENR Best Projects Award
Architect
Studio T Square
Landscape Architect
Base Landscape
Square Footage
27,000 SF