1 Lakeside Dr , Oakland, CA 94612

At the top of The Essex, this rare lakefront loft rises with a sense of quiet elevation above the rhythm of the city, a vantage point where light, water, and skyline meet. Dramatic 2-story windows gather shifting daylight and frame expansive views across Lake Merritt, its winding shoreline paths and open parkland unfolding below, with the Oakland Hills beyond. The main level flows with modern ease, offering open living and dining spaces, a thoughtfully integrated kitchen, and a private balcony overlooking the tree-lined promenade that circles the lake. Upstairs, the home’s true centerpiece reveals itself – a private rooftop terrace that sets this residence apart from nearly anything else on the lake. With sweeping, nearly 180-degree views, it becomes an open-air living room, where sunrise coffee, sunset gatherings, and evenings under the stars feel effortless and unforgettable. Two bedrooms, a full bath, plus flexible office and den spaces adapt naturally to work, retreat, or creative living. Residents of The Essex enjoy 24-hour concierge, pool, fitness center, and secure parking – all moments from the lake’s 3.4-mile path, Uptown dining, the Fox Theater, Whole Foods, and BART, creating a lifestyle that feels both elevated and deeply connected to Oakland’s most iconic setting.