Victim families in deadly Ghost Ship fire welcome affordable housing development in Fruitvale
OAKLAND, Calif. - Plans have been unveiled to build a five-story affordable housing complex at the site of the Ghost Ship warehouse in Oakland's Fruitvale district that burned down in a tragic, deadly fire nearly eight years ago.
Oakland non-profit The Unity Council is spearheading the housing project, which purchased the property on International Boulevard last year.
The renderings of the future site were provided by the Seattle-based design firm, Mithun, which is collaborating with the Bay Area's Yes Community Architects to create the building.
A total of 36 people died on Dec. 2, 2016, in the Ghost Ship warehouse, which had been illegally converted into an artist collective, and was the site of a concert when a fire broke out.
It’s marked as the deadliest fire in Oakland history.
The incident highlighted issues around affordable and safe housing in the city of Oakland.
The property on International Boulevard was purchased by The Unity Council and the building was demolished in 2023, with the goal to repurpose the spot where tragedy took place into a response to the housing crisis.
"I think the need for housing is great," said the CEO of The Unity Council Chris Iglesias.
The renderings show a 76,000 square foot building with nearly 60 affordable one, two, and three-bedroom apartments in Fruitvale.
"This is part of the process to submit the drawings to the city for review, but at the same time, we are also putting funding requests in to the city and to the county and potentially the state," said Iglesias.
Mary Alexander, an attorney representing the families of the 13 victims, said there’s nothing more fitting for the site.
"It is a wonderful thing that is happening to turn this property into such a beautiful place," said Alexander.
A former tenant at the warehouse, Shelley Mack, told KTVU it was always intended to be affordable housing, and believes this is a good use of the space.
Alexander said the victims’ families agree it would be good for the community. "I’ve seen the pictures, the drawings, and it will transform this whole area and it will be, I think in and of itself, a kind of memorial to the people who died there."
Emilie Grandchamps, who lost her son in the fire, said she could see herself living there to feel closer to her son.
The families requested a memorial be incorporated for the 36 people who died and the non-profit said the architects are working on making that a reality.
The new complex would be built over an empty lot and two existing buildings.
If everything goes smoothly for funding and city approvals, The Unity Council hopes to break ground sometime in 2026.
Featured
Oakland Ghost Ship warehouse torn down, nonprofit wants to build affordable housing
The Oakland Ghost Ship warehouse where 36 people tragically died in a fire was recently demolished and purchased by The Unity Council with plans to build affordable housing.