1947, with Key System train
courtesy Chris Treadway
Forest Apartments is an apartment building with ground-level retail at the corner of 40th Street and Telegraph.
Construction began in 1922, and the building was complete in 1923. It was built for George E. Hoffschneider and his wife, by contractor/builder Charles C. Williams. Businesses thanked in the full-page advertorial included H. Dombrink Glass, Great Western Power Company and Maxwell Hardware. The text says several types of wall beds were used; the advertorial includes Rip Van Winkle and California Wall Bed. 1
The initial commercial tenants included Dr. E. W. Nathan, The Faultless, Key Barber Shop, Key Realty Company, The Klassic, Louisette Millinery, Pure Food Delicatessen and Lunch Room, Dr. I. Alexander, Forest Beauty Shop, and Key Shoe Store.
Other commercial tenants over the years have included Khyber Pass (Afgani food) in the 1970s, Ruthie's Cafe c.2009-2011, and may have included an Uhuru Bakery. In January, 2017, the only commercial tenant was apparently a Boost Mobile store, but more stores are open as of 2024. Burlap Cafe is located on the 40th Street side in a space formerly occupied by Cafe Maricela, Telegraph Market is in the corner slot, and La Dolce Vita is located on Telegraph Avenue.
2017 CC SA-BY Our Oakland
1950 Sanborn excerpt
Links and References
- The Forest Apartments Oakland Tribune March 23, 1923
