Jack London Square Development
Jack London Square Development
The building behind you was the Port of Oakland headquarters from
late 1961 until 1990. An aluminum skin now covers what was a 1920s cold
storage building, the Haslett Warehouse. One-third of the original building was
demolished to allow construction of a second tunnel to Alameda, the Webster Street
Tube, which was completed in 1963. The former warehouse was remodeled in 1960, and
port employees moved thier offices from the Grove Street Pier to their new home in late 1961.
The are around Jack London Square was spruced up with new sidewalks, lighting and streets in 1952
to conincide with the City of Oakland's centennial celebration. Restaurants like the Sea Wolf, later Scott's
Seafood, the Grotto, later Kincaid's, and the Showboat, a floating restaurant, were popular destinations during
the early days of the Square.
Under the Phase I Master Plan, adopted by the Port Commissioners in 1984, new office space, retail
outlets, and parking facilities were added to the are between Cland and Franklin Streets. The
work was completed in 1989-1990. The Phase II Master Plane will yield greater opportunities
for entertainment, shopping, and business throughout the Square.
Donated by
the
Port of Oakland