First-Of-Its-Kind, Mass Timber Tower Rising in Oakland

Construction of a mass timber, high-rise apartment has begun in Oakland, California, KTVU Fox 2 is among outlets to report. The 19-story, 200-unit structure, described as the “tallest beamless mass plywood panel structure in the world,” is going up at 1510 Webster Street. Developed, designed and constructed by Oakland-based oWOW, with assistance from DCI Engineers, the tower will also be the tallest mass timber building in the world in a high seismic zone. Developers say the project has been “groundbreaking” in terms of reducing environmental impacts of construction, and the project is expected to serve as a model for future mass timber structures. Twenty percent of the units are slated for affordable housing, and leasing is estimated to begin in early 2024.