1746 8th St, Oakland, CA 94607

THE STORE - Hugh and Cora Mae Hayes moved from Los Angeles to the East Bay in 1942 in order for him to work at the Mare Island Naval shipyard. Together, they began a poultry retail and wholesale store at 719 Wood Street in 1945. The Hayes Fish and Poultry market moved to a newly built store at the corner of 8th and Wood streets in 1949. During the ensuing years they operated their own poultry processing plant, buying live chickens wholesale from farmers in Petaluma. The business grew to include 7 employees. Hugh and another driver would make deliveries to businesses, well-known restaurants and clubs in the East Bay. As one of Oakland's first African-American entrepreneurs, the Hayes Fish and Poultry Market served the West Oakland community from 1945 to 1973. THE HOUSE - This grand Italianate Victorian brings to a life a vibrant period of West Oakland's history. It was built in 1873, while the city was becoming its own star as the Western Pacific terminus of the Transcontinental Railroad. The late Uriel Huntington, City Council member, built this residence for his beloved wife, Almira. The 2 story, 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath main home has been extensively renovated back to its former glory. In its grand 2,260 square feet (aprx) of beautiful living space, it features refinished wood floors, high ceilings, a parlor, a formal dining room, marble fireplaces and a charming kitchen with a Wedgewood stove. Up the winding staircase, past a beautiful stained glass window, are the newly painted bedrooms, vintage bathroom and a cozy sitting room. The elegant landscaping is composed of a variety of succulents and drought-resistant plants. Conveniently located minutes away from the West Oakland BART with excellent freeway access and a short ride to downtown San Francisco. THE GARAGE/WORKSHOP - The oversized 2-bay garage, once a hay barn and carriage house, provides plenty space for parking with a handy workshop inclusive of a storage loft above. Viewed by many as the next "SOMA," affordable West Oakland is fast becoming the "industrial cool" place to live. This was once the industrial center of San Francisco and the wider Bay Area, and converting the old factories and warehouses from that era into contemporary live/work lofts is all the rage. Eclectic businesses are moving in as well, giving this once gritty, overlooked neighborhood a hip urban edge and caché. Anchored by the 5th largest container seaport in the United States, West Oakland's older homes, many of them Victorians, were built in World War I and II, back when the city served as a major shipbuilding center. Many new West Oakland real estate homebuyers here choose to buy older Victorians and renovate them from the inside out. Others prefer to move into newly converted lofts or brand new condos. The old and the new peacefully coexist side by side, as do artists, young professionals, entrepreneurs and working families. West Oakland is situated between Highways 80 and 980, from 880 to West Grand Avenue, and is easily accessible by public transportation including BART and buses. Downtown San Francisco is just 7 minutes away by BART, or a bit longer by casual carpool or bus. If you are an urban pioneer who is looking to buy somewhere before it really booms, look into West Oakland. Restoration details - New custom interior and exterior paint - Refinished wood floors - Wedgewood stove - Restored Flemish glass windows - New exterior stucco and siding in store - Custom security door/window coverings in the store - New walls/wainscoting - Handmade tile and reglazed original oversized cast iron sink in kitchen - Marble floors in back porch and half bath - Custom stone hearths in parlour and dining room - Restored window sashes - LED lighting in garage and loft - Drought-resistant front and side yard landscaping with new drip irrigation system Features include - 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths in main house - 1,400 (aprx) sq. ft. attached commercial space with two upper offices - Large 1,500 (aprx)