Built on the site of a former Sherwin-Williams paint factory, The Emery in Emeryville, California, is a new 500-unit mixed-use community. Developer Quarterra worked with architecture firm LPAS and interior designer Vida Design to design the project just north of Oakland in the Bay Area. The community consists of four distinct buildings, each offering its own sense of appeal.
In Building B2, the team identified a long and narrow space with no access to the internal corridors. “We wanted to create a unique amenity that felt more like a destination,” say the Vida designers.
As a result, Emery Lanes, an exclusive bowling alley, filled the space naturally. “The space felt that it was asking to be a bowling alley from the start,” they continue.
The bespoke amenity, which garnered the merit award for best amenity in the 2024 MFE Awards, provides a fun place for residents to gather and play and includes two lanes of bowling with digital scorekeeping. It is complimentary for residents to pop in and play a game if it is not in use, but they also can pay a fee to rent the entire facility as well.
According to Vida, the ambience was designed to evoke a sense of stepping back in time. The dark and moody space includes nostalgic, yet contemporary, details throughout, including the storefront-facing trophy shelf, leather banquette seating, a brick wall mural, and a custom neon sign.
In addition to the bowling alley, The Emery’s amenity package includes a generous co-working space with five reservable work pods, a massive clubroom with rooftop pool deck access and views of the Golden Gate Bridge, a bike lounge, a fitness center, a theater room, and an intimate fireside private dining room.
