| Summary | National Percentile | Rank vs Metro |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | 75th | Fair |
| Demographics | 50th | Poor |
| Amenities | 82nd | Best |
Multifamily Valuation
| Property Details | |
|---|---|
| Address | 1525 Russell St, Berkeley, CA, 94703, US |
| Region / Metro | Berkeley |
| Year of Construction | 1975 |
| Units | 32 |
| Transaction Date | 2001-04-16 |
| Transaction Price | $2,450,000 |
| Buyer | ALMANARA INVESTMENTS INC |
| Seller | 1525 RUSSELLS INC |
1525 Russell St Berkeley Multifamily Investment
High renter concentration and a high-cost ownership market support durable tenant demand, according to WDSuite’s CRE market data. Neighborhood occupancy trends are more variable, so active leasing and renewal management remain important.
Berkeley’s Urban Core setting around 1525 Russell St offers strong day-to-day convenience for renters. The neighborhood ranks 45th of 469 metro neighborhoods for amenities, placing it in the top quartile locally, with dense access to restaurants, cafes, groceries, and pharmacies. Average school ratings are below national midpoints, which can affect family-oriented demand, but the overall neighborhood rating sits at B+, competitive among Oakland-Berkeley-Livermore submarkets.
The area’s housing stock skews older (neighborhood average vintage 1935). With a 1975 construction year, the property is newer than much of the local inventory, which can be a competitive advantage versus prewar product; investors should still plan for modernization of systems and common areas as part of a value-add or capital program.
Renter-occupied housing is prevalent (renter concentration near the top of national distributions), signaling a deep tenant base and sustained multifamily demand. Neighborhood occupancy is below national midpoints, suggesting leasing velocity may be uneven at times; operators who emphasize renewal capture and targeted concessions can stabilize performance.
Within a 3-mile radius, population and household counts have grown in recent years and are projected to continue rising, pointing to a larger tenant base over time. Elevated home values relative to incomes indicate a high-cost ownership market locally, which tends to reinforce renter reliance on multifamily housing and supports pricing power where unit quality and management execution are strong.
Safety indicators for the neighborhood trail both metro and national norms. Compared with 469 Oakland-Berkeley-Livermore neighborhoods, the area ranks in the lower tier for crime, and national comparisons place it well below the median for safety. Property and violent offense estimates have also shown recent increases, underscoring the importance of preventative measures.
For investors, this typically means underwriting for enhanced access control, lighting, and resident engagement, and calibrating operating assumptions to reflect elevated security needs. Monitoring city-level trend shifts and submarket initiatives can help align operating plans with evolving conditions.
Nearby corporate offices provide a diversified employment base that supports renter demand and retention, led by headquarters and major offices for Clorox, Gap, AIG, Salesforce, and PG&E within typical commuting distance.
- Clorox — consumer products HQ (3.6 miles) — HQ
- Gap — apparel retail HQ (7.6 miles) — HQ
- Aig — insurance offices (7.6 miles)
- Salesforce.com — enterprise software HQ (7.7 miles) — HQ
- PG&E Corp. — utilities HQ (7.8 miles) — HQ
1525 Russell St’s neighborhood combines top-quartile amenity access with a renter-leaning housing mix, reinforcing depth of demand for well-managed units. Based on CRE market data from WDSuite, neighborhood occupancy trends sit below national midpoints, making operational execution—renewals, positioning, and targeted concessions—the main lever to stabilize cash flow. Elevated ownership costs in the area further sustain renter reliance on multifamily housing, while proximity to major employers supports leasing resilience.
Built in 1975, the property is newer than much of the local prewar stock, suggesting value-add potential through modernization and curb-appeal improvements to compete for quality-sensitive tenants. Investors should underwrite for security enhancements given local safety readings and maintain conservative lease-up timelines to account for variable absorption.
- Renter-leaning neighborhood supports a deep tenant base and demand stability
- Top-quartile amenity access enhances livability and leasing appeal
- 1975 vintage offers value-add upside versus older local stock
- Employer proximity underpins retention during cycles
- Risk: Below-median neighborhood occupancy and elevated safety concerns require strong operating controls