The Essex on Lake Merritt
1 Lakeside Drive, Oakland, CA 94612
Property Summary
Located on the shores of Lake Merritt in Oakland, this 20-story apartment community offers a blend of modern comfort and urban convenience. Residents have access to a variety of shared amenities, including a fitness center, pool, spa, and a roof terrace. The building features a 24/7 doorman, concierge services, and controlled access. Units are designed with open floor plans and include high-end finishes such as hardwood floors, granite countertops, and stainless steel appliances. The community is situated within walking distance of BART stations, Whole Foods, and the dining and entertainment options of Uptown Oakland.
Renter brief
At the source check, 3 units were listed as available. That snapshot spanned studio to 2-bedroom homes.
Source · Apartments.com · checked Sep 24, 2026
Available units
Checked 4 hours ago
- Studio · 1 ba · 548 ft²Available NowCall for price
- 1 bd · 1 ba · 674 ft²Available NowCall for price
- 2 bd · 2 ba · 905 ft²Available NowCall for price
Renter facts, criterion by criterion
No overall grade — each row reflects only the fact and source shown.
0.5 mi straight-line distance to 19th Street Oakland
Source · Transit map coordinates · not a routed trip
Built in 2001
Source · Apartments.com · checked Sep 24, 2026
Shared laundry on site
Source · Apartments.com · checked Sep 24, 2026
Amenities
- Playground
- Grill
- Elevator
- Laundry Facilities
- Controlled Access
- Doorman
- Spa
- Online Services
- Bicycle Storage
- Clubhouse
- Fitness Center
- Picnic Area
- Sundeck
- Lounge
- EV Charging
- Security System
- Business Center
- Pool
- Air Conditioning
Reviews
Reviews
- Residents appreciate the modern building, convenient amenities, and friendly staff.
- However, some are surprised by the dated fixtures and the expensive, antiquated heating system.
- 4.5 stars across 5 reviews.
What's Around
- Transit19th Street Oakland · 0.5 mi straight-line
- GroceriesGourmet Market · 0.2 mi
- Dining602 restaurants & cafés within 1 mi
- ParksLake Merritt · 0.3 mi
- UniversityUC Berkeley · 4.7 mi
Nearby Schools
Public and charter schools whose attendance zones include this property.
Elementary Schools (1)
High Schools (10)
Questions renters ask about this building
Is there in-unit laundry?
The listing reports shared laundry; it does not list an installed in-unit washer/dryer.
Source · Apartments.com · checked Sep 24, 2026
How close is the nearest rail station?
19th Street Oakland is 0.5 mi away by straight-line distance; this is not a routed walking estimate.
Source · Transit map coordinates
Similar places nearby
