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Photo: MLS Image 1 of / 23 Caption Close Image 2 of 23 The entry The entry Photo: MLS Image 3 of 23 The busy neighborhood The busy neighborhood Photo: MLS Image 4 of 23 The penthouse apartment has been listed at $1.5 million since May. The penthouse apartment has been listed at $1.5 million since May. Photo: MLS Image 5 of 23 Image 6 of 23 The dining area The dining area Photo: MLS Image 7 of 23 The breakfast bar The breakfast bar Photo: MLS Image 8 of 23 Open concept entertaining space Open concept entertaining space Photo: MLS Image 9 of 23 The kitchen The kitchen Photo: MLS Image 10 of 23 Image 11 of 23 One of three bedroom One of three bedroom Photo: MLS Image 12 of 23 One of two bathrooms One of two bathrooms Photo: MLS Image 13 of 23 Unique ceilings in the living area Unique ceilings in the living area Photo: MLS Image 14 of 23 Stairs lead to an unfinished loft space Stairs lead to an unfinished loft space Photo: MLS Image 15 of 23 Image 16 of 23 The industrial-style loft The industrial-style loft Photo: MLS Image 17 of 23 More of the loft More of the loft Photo: MLS Image 18 of 23 The staircase leads up to a private roof deck. The staircase leads up to a private roof deck. Photo: MLS Image 19 of 23 The private roof deck The private roof deck Photo: MLS Image 20 of 23 Image 21 of 23 Amazing downtown views Amazing downtown views Photo: MLS Image 22 of 23 More sunset views More sunset views Photo: MLS Image 23 of 23 Oakland's Uptown named 2014's best neighborhood 1 / 23 Back to Gallery

Looks like former Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown’s 10K Housing Initiative has really paid off. Oakland’s Uptown neighborhood was recently named the number one “great neighborhood” in the country by the American Planning Association. (You can click here to see the other neighborhoods, none in California, that made the list.)

“Part of former Mayor Jerry Brown’s 10K Housing Initiative, the Uptown Area Residential Project embodied values of both the city and local residents,” explained the national planning and development nonprofit. “The project design took advantage of its proximity to public transportation and created a transit-oriented, pedestrian-friendly neighborhood with a variety of housing options.”

In fact, in a recent SFGate piece, Oakland realtors named Uptown as one of the city’s fastest growing neighborhoods, with young singles and even retirees “rushing” to the area. Brand-new condos are mixed in with homes in repurposed historic buildings (such as the unique Uptown penthouse in the gallery above) and the neighborhood can now command $1 million-plus pricing.

But the APA wasn’t just impressed by the newfound popularity of the neighborhood; it’s the smart, green development that really made the difference. “The Uptown Residential Development Project is a dynamic urban mixed-use renewal project incorporating retail space, 1,200 mixed-income apartments and student housing; [it was] designated as a LEED Silver-certified project by transforming an underutilized parking lot into an urban community.”

Of course, another major benefit to the neighborhood is its connection with the arts. It houses the Fox Theater, The Paramount Theater, the New Parkway Theater and the New Parish, plus it has signature events like the First Friday Art Gallery Walk and the First Friday festival. There’s also a wealth of public art, including a still-underway Dan Corson-created LED exhibit at the 19th Street BART exit and a sculpture garden in Art Park.

“Uptown incubates the home-grown, artistic, and entrepreneurial spirit unique to Oakland,” said the APA. “The neighborhood has experienced significant revitalization over the last 15 years, transforming an area dominated by underutilized parking lots into the Bay Area’s premier arts and entertainment district.”









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Photo: Michael Macor / The Chronicle Image 1 of / 13 Caption Close Image 2 of 13 Jeff Perlstein, owner of SoleSpace shoe store along Telegraph Avenue in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday Feb. 28, 2013. Jeff Perlstein, owner of SoleSpace shoe store along Telegraph Avenue in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday Feb. 28, 2013. Photo: Michael Macor / The Chronicle Image 3 of 13 Bar Dogwood owned by Alexeis Filipello of in Oakland, California, on Thursday, October 31, 2013. Bar Dogwood owned by Alexeis Filipello of in Oakland, California, on Thursday, October 31, 2013. Photo: Liz Hafalia / The Chronicle Image 4 of 13 A vintage film projector decorates the cafe-style lobby of the New Parkway theater in Oakland, Calif. on Friday, Dec. 28, 2012. A vintage film projector decorates the cafe-style lobby of the New Parkway theater in Oakland, Calif. on Friday, Dec. 28, 2012. Photo: Paul Chinn / The Chronicle Image 5 of 13 Image 6 of 13 The old I. Magnin and Company building at Telegraph Avenue and Broadway, Uptown, Oakland. The old I. Magnin and Company building at Telegraph Avenue and Broadway, Uptown, Oakland. Photo: Stephanie Wright Hession Image 7 of 13 A pedestrian passes by Flora, a popular Uptown restaurant. A pedestrian passes by Flora, a popular Uptown restaurant. Photo: Noah Berger / SFC Image 8 of 13 The exterior of Make Westing bar on Telegraph. The bar offers bocce courts. The exterior of Make Westing bar on Telegraph. The bar offers bocce courts. Photo: John Storey / Special to the Chronicle Image 9 of 13 Signage for the Hive, a mixed-use project in Oakland's Uptown district, is seen on a building on Broadway in the Hive on Wednesday, May 21, 2014 in Oakland, Calif. Signage for the Hive, a mixed-use project in Oakland's Uptown district, is seen on a building on Broadway in the Hive on Wednesday, May 21, 2014 in Oakland, Calif. Photo: Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle Image 10 of 13 Image 11 of 13 Kayla Millheim paints a message of peace on a exhibit board on Telegraph Avenue for the First Friday event, Friday, March 1, 2013, in Oakland, Calif. Kayla Millheim paints a message of peace on a exhibit board on Telegraph Avenue for the First Friday event, Friday, March 1, 2013, in Oakland, Calif. Photo: Lacy Atkins / The Chronicle Image 12 of 13 The Fox Theater is pictured on Monday, Oct. 3, 2011, in Oakland, Calif. The Fox Theater is pictured on Monday, Oct. 3, 2011, in Oakland, Calif. Photo: Noah Berger / Special to The Chronicle Image 13 of 13 Oakland's Uptown named 2014's best neighborhood 1 / 13 Back to Gallery

Emily Landes is a writer and editor who is obsessed with all things real estate. She also has a DIY problem that she blogs about at pritical.com.