Safeway Berkeley,CA
Safeway located at 1444 Shattuck Place in Berkeley,CA. This store opened on May 12th 1965 replacing a much smaller store located a few blocks away at 1607 Shattuck Ave. This Safeway was the first to have basement level parking due to the relatively small parking lot in front of the store. As the store was being built a construction crew stumbled upon a (water) well dating back to the mid 1800's. The well was immediately recognized as a signifacant piece of local history and restored by both Safeway and the construction company headed by G.A. Beukers. Safeway even gave the store a blue paint color and had two exterior walls glistening with blue and teal colored tiles. Unfortunately all treasures seem to fade away over time and while this store is still operating Safeway has done nothing to preserve the historical well on the site or to the building which is in really poor condition. Safeway presented plans to the City of Berkeley to demolish this store and construct a modern "lifestyle" store in its place but after being met with such strong disapproval from local residents Safeway has hired a new architect who plans to modify and expand the exisiting building but a remodel of any sort will likely be met with hostility.
lowneyarch.com/projects/retail/safeway3.html
Here is the store on opening day...
www.flickr.com/photos/romleys/2336413598/
Here is the store in 2004...
Safeway Berkeley,CA
Safeway located at 1444 Shattuck Place in Berkeley,CA. This store opened on May 12th 1965 replacing a much smaller store located a few blocks away at 1607 Shattuck Ave. This Safeway was the first to have basement level parking due to the relatively small parking lot in front of the store. As the store was being built a construction crew stumbled upon a (water) well dating back to the mid 1800's. The well was immediately recognized as a signifacant piece of local history and restored by both Safeway and the construction company headed by G.A. Beukers. Safeway even gave the store a blue paint color and had two exterior walls glistening with blue and teal colored tiles. Unfortunately all treasures seem to fade away over time and while this store is still operating Safeway has done nothing to preserve the historical well on the site or to the building which is in really poor condition. Safeway presented plans to the City of Berkeley to demolish this store and construct a modern "lifestyle" store in its place but after being met with such strong disapproval from local residents Safeway has hired a new architect who plans to modify and expand the exisiting building but a remodel of any sort will likely be met with hostility.
lowneyarch.com/projects/retail/safeway3.html
Here is the store on opening day...
www.flickr.com/photos/romleys/2336413598/
Here is the store in 2004...