News

Downtown demolition: A digger fan’s delight

July 12, 2010 6:00 am by Tracey Taylor

Demolition site at 2151 Berkeley Way. Photo: Tracey Taylor.

The demolition of the former Department of Health Services (DHS) building at 2151 Berkeley Way, is nearing completion, as can be seen by the photo above, taken on July 9. (Below, a photo taken by Berkeleysider Mimi Mugler in April which shows the building as it was then, mid-demolition.)

Part of the cleared site will be used to build the new Helios Energy Research Facility which has attracted attention, and protesters, as it will house the BP-funded Energy Biosciences Institute.

For Bob the Builder kids who can’t get enough of excavators, diggers and the accompanying dust and noise, this is the place to go —  although viewing platforms are not, unfortunately, provided.

6 Comments

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  • Diane

    As an architect and CM, this is my favorite free entertainment in town these days.

  • http://umhai.com/ james

    This was way too watchable for me. Probably spent 3-4 hours watching it over the last few months. However, we did bail on an apartment offer just a few blocks away with the demo and construction noise being a major factor.

  • http://www.preservenet.com Charles Siegel

    They are grinding up the rubble and creating piles of gravel. Does anyone know whether they will use that gravel for construction on this site? Or are they just grinding it on site to make it easier to haul away?

    I also love watching it.

  • Mike Farrell

    My Mom hated this monstrosity since it’s construction.
    Bless her, she’s smiling from above.

    Any nominations for Berkeley’s current worst building?

  • http://trampleasure.net/lee Lee Trampleasure

    I live a few blocks away and have spent significant time watching the different phases of de-construction. One of the most fascinating things to do is to watch the people watching :-)

    One man was watching near the Ace Hardware parking lot exit. When he was finished, he turned quickly and started walking up the sidewalk, immediately bumping into a car that was leaving the parking lot. Luckily, both he and the car were moving slowly and, although apparently the car ran over his toes, he was fine.

  • http://trampleasure.net/lee Lee Trampleasure

    I would add that it is nice that the new construction plans re-establishing a walking connection between Walnut north and south of the block. This will save me a few steps when walking to Berkeley Hardware.