It certainly looks like a big win for the city and the Uptown neighborhood, bringing in thousands of new jobs. But some worry that the upside will come with much higher rents.
"Uber is an innovative game-changing company and its move to Oakland is game-changing for us," said Mayor Libby Schaaf.
Mayor @LibbySchaaf says #Uber attracted to Oakland for what it offers, not tax incentives #Oakland #TheOaklandAdvantage
— Oakland Chamber (@OaklandChamber) September 23, 2015
The mayor called it a great day for her city. The announcement that Uber is expanding its Bay Area headquarters to Oakland's Sears building.
"It's home actually to many of current our employees," said Renee Atwood with Uber. "But today we are doubling down on our growth here and deepening our roots across the bay."
The ridesharing company has purchased the old Sears building from Lane Partners, which will stay on as the developer of a project that includes 50,000 square feet of retail on the bottom with office space above.
Uber expects to bring in 2,000 to 3,000 employees. Housing them without pricing out current residents is part of the equation for Oakland city leaders.
"We believe that having great jobs in this city is part of that solution," said the mayor. "And encouraging development of additional housing units, which an investment like this can also encourage, is part of that solution."
"It's pretty exciting," said Kevin Best.
Best just opened his gourmet ice cream shop, Little Giant, across the street from the newly dubbed Uptown Station.
"We knew something was going to happen, we weren't sure at what level," he said. "So to hear someone of Uber's size is definitely reassuring."
Uber expects to begin renovation next year, with project completion set for 2017.
For more stories about Uber, click here.
Looking forward to announcement from @LibbySchaaf @Oakland on @Uber's move to #UptownStation #Sears #Oakland! pic.twitter.com/kz7binQ4Tt
— Oakland Chamber (@OaklandChamber) September 23, 2015
"Incredible announcement about new company to call Oakland home" - Mayor @LibbySchaaf pic.twitter.com/RCME2zvZiP
— Oakland Chamber (@OaklandChamber) September 23, 2015
.@uber's Renee Atwood says proud Oakland is in global headquarters, "doubling down" on Oakland #TheOaklandAdvantage pic.twitter.com/t5GOjOeEYw
— Oakland Chamber (@OaklandChamber) September 23, 2015
.@LynetteGM: #Uber "game-changer" for #Oakland pic.twitter.com/tomtoor9GO
— Oakland Chamber (@OaklandChamber) September 23, 2015
Mayor @LibbySchaaf says #Uber attracted to Oakland for what it offers, not tax incentives #Oakland #TheOaklandAdvantage
— Oakland Chamber (@OaklandChamber) September 23, 2015
Packed house for today's announcement: #Uber moving to #Oakland #TheOaklandAdvantage @LibbySchaaf @Oakland pic.twitter.com/Z5kHlWrQpl
— Oakland Chamber (@OaklandChamber) September 23, 2015