I rented here for about 2.5 years (jan'21-June '24) and I did enjoy my time and had a good experience overall. In that time, there were at least 4 managers that I know of that cycled through so it's constantly changing management... The first two were great, third was a bit intense, and fourth helped me tremendously. The good: affordable workspace, easy access 24/7, felt safe, utilities all worked. Rent was raised just one, and I was given an early heads up. The cafe downstairs is a gem. The annoying: Sometimes random people would try to ask me to unlock the building so they can get it...just say no. When it came to move-out time, if you want your deposit back, you need to ask for the move-out checklist and to put in the work. Buy the paint, and paint the walls and floors-they provide the specs. Clean every single blind, free of dust and clean the sink. Not too hard. But, when I followed up on my deposit, I was ghosted. Turns out the manager at that time (3rd one I dealt with) was no longer working there so the emails never went through. Finally I called and got a quick response from new manager Marina. She quickly turned things around, tracked down my 100% deposit which manager #3 sent to wrong address and she sent it right away w quick and professional follow ups. So in the end, all turned out well thanks to Marina, just took some work. read more

The management of this work/study/art space is absolutely first rate. I have rented studios here for 20 years, and have generally found management to be attentive, responsive, and pleasant, but I have to single out the present manager Marina Vayner as above and beyond- any issue or question she will resolve promptly and competently. If you need workspace this is the place! read more

I moved my business into ActivSpace last year, and it's been one of the best decisions I've made! The building is clean, safe, and really well cared for. The management team is fantastic -- super friendly, easy to reach, and always quick to take care of any requests or maintenance issues. You can tell they truly care about their tenants and take pride in keeping everything running smoothly. The location is great-- plenty of parking, great restaurants and coffee shops nearby. If you're a small business looking for a great space with supportive management and a professional atmosphere, I can't recommend ActivSpace enough. I absolutely love it here! read more

Excellent creative space. Marina is great! They keep the building very clean and safe Thanks to Marina and activspace. paul read more

after renting here for a year, they sent me an email and locked me out in the same evening. My rent was paid. I just had needed to crash there a little while till I got a new live in nursing client. read more

I rented at Activspace for about 2 years, ending in the fall of 2023. The location is great and the facility is clean and well maintained. Ample parking and practically zero crime. The problem as you'll notice if you rent here is the management. When I originally signed up there was a guy named Matt managing. He was a good guy, communicated well and stayed professional. After that they started to hire some overly emotional millennials that got offended over everything. After I emailed them about entering my space with first notifying me, they Colin Kaepernicked me and stop responding to my emails, that's until the checklist for the deposit came about. They were definitely attentive to that. I didn't even attempt to get my deposit back as I knew it was futile. Ownership is also nonexistent to any types of complaints. I definitely still miss the place as I was able to create some great artwork. read more

As a startup we have been renting space at Active space since 2021. The space is adequate with electricity included. Reasonable rent. The management has been friendly and they strive hard to keep the space clean and safe. read more

AVOID RENTING FROM THIS PLACE! they will SCAM you on returning your deposit. i heard from alot of previous residents with this issue, and it finally happened to me. i rented here for 2 years and i always wondered why there was a huge turnover rate of people moving out of this place. they have even had alot of managers come and go. im expressing this warning to people considering this place because of my mistreatment and many stories from so many people. i found a better place for my business in berekeley that is more professional, clean, safer, and better management that actually care about their tenants. so please consider other options before you choose this place. dont let the prices fool you, you get what you pay for! read more

When I signed a lease they took an $800 deposit for a $545 monthly office rental. When I first moved in the blinds were bent and there were marks on the wall. I took pictures and sent to manager. When I moved out they charged me $80 for the bent blinds. When I explained it was like that when I moved in they gave no fucks. Not a care. Not willing to have any conversation. Be careful!! When you move in document all expectations of how the space is and needs to be left. Otherwise they are gonna charge you to improve it better than you receive it. These folx are not reasonable. Also this spot is very loud. Don't rent space if you need quiet. read more

I've been renting at this building for over 4years now, mar and his professional has been sticking out to me and my husband. We stop by the office and let him know , how we appreciated him and his time being here and putting his stamp on the building. Thanks Mar We Appreciate You!!!! read more

I never got the chance to rent a space because the manager came off very nonchalant and made me feel like they didn't want to rent to me i feel based on my confidence and consistency. Management is unprofessional, they don't return calls emails or text messages. you can't get in touch with anyone in upper management. There does not seem to be any foot traffic. I'm honestly glad it didn't work out. Management seems like business scammers that hide behind a Property Management title, Highly unprofessional. My observation and experience with them . hope this helps Good luck read more

I had a great experience at ActivSpace in 2022. The manager, Chan, made a noticeable improvement in the facilities and community atmosphere. I highly recommend this location for anyone looking for a workspace or a place to start a creative project. I was in unit 213 and it had excellent lighting and was the perfect size for launching my art business. I am grateful for my time there and for the wonderful people I met. read more

ActivSpace - Painting created at ActivSpace Berkeley - Commercial Real Estate Near Me - Berkeley, California

Berkeley ActivSpace is a decent place to rent a studio, w/ caveats. I rented twice w/ AS over a period of several years. There were 4 different mgrs w/in that time frame, so turnover is high. Luckily, I never had any serious issues with my unit (re: water / electricity / security), so I never had to interact much with mgmt until moving out (more on that to follow). Overall, I found the managers to be responsive & reliable with one notable exception. The units are well maintained, altho the building is starting to show its age in the common areas. There's no heat or AC, but AS provides a small space heater for each unit. Depending on where your unit is in the building, it can get *very* hot in the warmer months and a window fan is necessary. There are screens in all of the windows. There was an adequate # of electrical outlets in my space & good overhead lighting. The sinks only have cold water, but there's hot water in the bathrooms. Bathrooms are pretty well maintained; there are plenty throughout the building, but could be a little cleaner. AS makes a decent attempt at securing the building, but it's possible for non-tenants to slip in via the elevator, which is right off of the parking lot. People tend to hold the doors open for others assuming that they're fellow tenants. Overall, I felt pretty safe while there, but I was always very aware of my surroundings. Upon move-out, you need to return your space to its original condition (clean fixtures, white walls, gray floor, holes patched) as stated in the lease. The wall & floor paint you're required to use is very specific. In attempting to find the floor paint, I was sent on a wild goose chase by the Berkeley & San Francisco mgrs. The Berkeley mgr was out of the office for a week during this time and I had to mostly deal with the SF mgr, who was unprofessional, unhelpful, & sorely lacking in communication skills, to put it mildly. It turns out that the floor paint was out of stock at Sherwin Williams stores *nationwide* due to a materials shortage, which I informed both managers of in a detailed email. I was repeatedly told by the San Francisco mgr that "it exists, keep looking for it!" She said that I "couldn't trust" what Sherwin Williams was telling me, even though they had absolutely no motive for lying to me. She also said to "order it online and have it shipped overnight," but it wasn't possible to find it online because it simply. did. not. exist. (Plus, who pays overnight shipping for a gallon of paint? It's super expensive.) Contacting multiple paint stores via phone & in-person, as well as googling around to find this phantom paint was very time consuming. At no point along the way was I given another paint option. In the end, *I* was the one who proposed an alternate brand after researching similar kinds as Sherwin Williams, and it was eventually approved by the Berkeley mgr, but what a huge waste of my time. It should never be the tenant's responsibility to hunt down paint that doesn't exist, and then have to research viable substitutes. That's the managers' job. I addressed both managers re: the floor paint fiasco via email. San Francisco mgr didn't reply & didn't apologize. I received a defensive & terse reply from the Berkeley mgr. He didn't seem to think it had anything to do with him since he was "out of the office" at the time, even tho he's the one who told me to get the paint in the first place w/out looking into its availability. He was also well-aware of the nonsense that the SF mgr was telling me via phone & email. This led me to believe that he's a Fair-Weather Kind of Guy: when things go well he's shiny & happy, but when a tenant has a bonafide complaint (especially one that involves him), he's just not having it. I was a compliant, long-term tenant who was trying to follow the move-out instructions to the letter, and was still given the run-around and treated disrespectfully. I found both managers to be rather juvenile and lacking in customer service skills (ironically, their title is Customer Service Manager). So, rent at ActivSpace if you must due to location, affordability, or whatever else turns you on about the place, but keep in mind that certain managers have trouble taking responsibility for their words & actions depending on the situation (aka skilled in the art of deflection). Also, be aware of the involved move-out process before you sign the lease. Document everything you did to restore the unit to its move-in condition, and take move-in/move-out photos to ensure you receive your security deposit. read more

The good: Great location, affordable, friendly helpful on-site manager (Parv), 24-hr access, cool neighbors -- a great place to create. The okay: You can totally do whatever you want with your unit, and folks really style them out. A fine place for a small business, but the halls have only subflooring -- not finished, looks weird. Maybe trying to be industrial but a bit iffy. Management: Please some real flooring and regular cleaning of that flooring. The fine print: Know that on move-out you will need to repaint your unit, walls and floors, or the management will contract professionals to do it for you. Just and FYI so that you understand what some of the whining is on this thread. Was here about 5 years and it was great. Thanks Activspace! read more

I am an artist and small business owner. It is difficult to find safe and reasonably priced art space in the Bay Area. I struggled for years, bouncing from place to place. I found Activspace and it changed everything for me and my business. The property is beautiful and kept clean. The building is secure and my clients feel comfortable visiting me. The management is always available to speak to regarding any need and readily able to try to work with me and assist me in what I am trying to do. Parviz is the coolest manager I've had the pleasure of renting from... I recommend this place for your small business.... Oh, I forgot to mention, they are pet friendly!!!! read more

ActivSpace - My wonderful workspace - Commercial Real Estate Near Me - Berkeley, California

I don't understand the negative reviews. I have rented here and I had a few issues but nothing worth giving a bad review over. When I moved out of my unit. I did not do a perfect of repainting and the floor had to be repainted and the unit need cleaning (window sills) I was charged for this but I got most of my deposit back. Here are things I wish I had know before moving in. If you arrive on site after 10:30/11 am during the week be prepared to go on the hunt for parking. Sadly quite a few people leave their vehicles parked over night and there are enough unauthorized vehicles parked in the lot to take up all the spaces. Plan your space to include lots of fans and air conditioning! This place gets hot enough to melt satan's toe jam on a warm day. During the summer and quite often on rainy days there are power outages so be prepared. Yes, there is some noise but nothing unreasonable. In my time there I did see one Holiday Party and I only knew of it because of the way people were dressed. I have never seen "partying or anything" considered sketch. As far as smells go I was down the hall from a guy who made perfume and until who must of had like 10 glade plug in so when you walk past there units or on hot days the smells could be quite powerful. If you use lmi the there the service here goes out at least once a month but they are pretty good about getting it back on quickly. If you move a lot of big items, invest in your own cart! there a few bad neighbors who selfishly monopolize the community carts all day without shame or consideration for other tenants. and finally schedule a pre-inspection before you move out! Management will tell you exactly what needs to be corrected at the unit so there are no surprises. read more

Good rental deal - rented from here for a little over a year for a woodworking space. I would recommend it if you're willing to forfeit your deposit when you vacate - if you go into it with that assumption, you'll be happy with the space. There is a lot of noise and dust during the day, so it's not exactly a peaceful spot to work. I was extremely offended when I saw that they were using a photo mocking Caitlyn Jenner in their elevator - they always have a sign up reminding community members to keep the building safe. I, and everyone I've shown it to, found the sign featuring Ms. Jenner extremely offensive and tasteless. When I first moved in, they had a photo of President Obama featured in their safety sign, which I also felt was inappropriate because it should be a safe space for anyone to rent, not just Democrats or liberals. Anyone. I love President Obama, and voted for him, but I thought it was inappropriate. A space like this should feel welcoming to everyone who uses it. read more

ActivSpace - Bigoted management. I'm not interested in renting from a place that thinks transgender people are a joke. - Commercial Real Estate Near Me - Berkeley, California

I have been a tenant over the last 3 years at ActivSpace, and leasing a studio space here for my business was the best decision I could ever make. Since the first day, I have felt welcomed and supported by Manager Parviz Niakian, who ensured my needs, questions, etc. were surely met and answered. I came from operating my business on my kitchen table to an office/studio setting with a great view of the Berkeley hills from my 3rd floor unit. It was awesome to be able to have creative control over what I wanted my space to look like and managed to organize it in the most efficent manner. I was able to turn over a 9x11 square foot space and made it inviting to customers. And yes, what a blessing to have a space other than my home where my customers could come and be served. I really loved having a secured entry to the space, cameras onsite, a sink in office, and a clean bathroom on my floor. This helped me feel safe while working there around the clock in a convenient environment. Whenever an issue arose regarding neighborhood activity, plumbing, trash, mail, electricity, lock outs, etc., Parviz and other Management staff would alert all tenants and/or find immediate solutions. They are always well-spirited and are regularly seen walking the grounds, connecting with tenants and making sure the complex stays clean. I think ActivSpace is an excellent solution for start up businesses and hobbyist. As a small business owner, it is challenging to find local spaces to lease that are affordable, safe, and have residential parking. I have visited many spaces around the Bay Area for options, but none fair in comparison. The end of 2019 marked my last day at Activspace as I am preparing to open up my own store! Woohoo! Very exciting and I know I would not of been able to grow my business in the healthiest way without residing at ActivSpace first. It was the best stepping stone for me. I highly recommend ActivSpace as a "go to" for anyone looking to find a home for their business. I attached a picture of my studio space to give you a peak at how I made my space work for me ! read more

ActivSpace - Waist Beads by Ayodele Berkeley Studio - Commercial Real Estate Near Me - Berkeley, California

Really decent little units and nice management. Our business grew and Chan helped us upgrade to a bigger unit and is super friendly. Sometimes people play loud music but if you ask they'll turn it down. read more

I agree with A W's review so I'm just gonna copy and paste it because my experience thus far is exactly the same except I don't smell anything bad or have any odd noises. See below: ***************************** I rented for a little more than 6 months. I think this place gets a little too much negative feedback on Yelp. I read the warnings before I rented and would like to offer a counter-argument. First off, things like this (from another review) are kind of ridiculous: "The Lease Agreement includes a hidden penalty. Section 2 of the Move-Out Instructions requires each tenant to repaint the walls and floors regardless of use and condition." "hidden"? it's right there in the agreement. yes, you need to repaint your space when you're done. they tell you this over and over and over. or, you can let them do it and they'll hold those fees against your deposit. if you don't care for this arrangement, don't rent. I went in open-eyed, accepted the deal, did the painting, and got my full deposit back. Parviz even inspected my unit when I gave notice and told me where to concentrate my efforts when painting. honestly, I think it was very fair. as for noise and smells -- well, this is a different matter. it's an arty place and I think you need to know that going in. if you want a quiet space to write or work, this may not be for you. I never had an issue with odors but I definitely think anything noxious should be dealt with by management. as for "parties" or other less savory types... I didn't see this kind of thing but it would annoy me, to be sure. bathrooms and halls were always clean when I was there. one word of caution is that if your unit faces West you may be in for brutal temperatures during the summers. you'll want a fan at the least. some people put in certain kinds of air conditioning which I would have done if I'd stayed through a second summer. read more

Ms. Chandra was fantastic! She was very kind and welcoming which means a lot. The process to rent was very simple and straightforward.

I rented a space at ActivSpace Berkeley for a couple of months, then relocated to Sonoma county. During the time I was renting, I ended up using my space only occasionally because there was TOO MUCH NOISE (a LOT of drilling, tile sawing, noise from power tools etc), and TOXIC ODORS coming from directly below my unit CONTINUOUSLY. Also, someone who still had a key to my unit (WHY???) was coming into my space with their dog and hanging out when I wasn't there! I found dog hair and debris all over my space and had to clean it up! I felt VERY violated because someone was coming in-- VERY disturbing-- and my space was no longer secure, so I could not leave anything of real value there, and was constantly wondering if any of my stuff would be there when I returned. I noticed there are a few folks who are doing less than 'artistic' things with their spaces, and it is VERY obvious: When you see someone show up only on a Friday night at 11pm dressed to the nines, toting a sixpack of wine coolers you have to wonder what kind of 'art' they practice... And when the music comes on super loud after 10 pm on a Saturday night and suddenly there are tons of unknown cars and people in the parking lot and in the building, well, I guess it was just PARTY TIME!!! When I reached out to management to report all this, as well as report the odors and excessive noise, I was treated as though it was all my imagination! I took photos of my space and tried to prove it was true, but no one from management would return my phone calls or requests for a meeting. And they were never there when I was. They acted as if I did not exist and IGNORED me! Incredibly BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE ACTIVSPACE! SHAME ON YOU!!! I had to move to Sonoma county for a new job and of course only received HALF OF MY DEPOSIT BACK -- which is the way they stick it to you if you leave before 6 months. I received no understanding from management about my situation. I was very unhappy with the management, and the energetic feeling of the building is pretty pathetic-- not many real artists are there. AND SOME PEOPLE ARE EVEN LIVING IN THEIR SPACES! You can imagine what that looks/smells/feels like! YUCK!!! Good luck to you if you can't find any other art space to rent. Personally I would just pass on this place. It is not cheap, and given all the BS I had to put up with, NOT WORTH IT!! read more

I rented for a little more than 6 months. I think this place gets a little too much negative feedback on Yelp. I read the warnings before I rented and would like to offer a counter-argument. First off, things like this (from another review) are kind of ridiculous: "The Lease Agreement includes a hidden penalty. Section 2 of the Move-Out Instructions requires each tenant to repaint the walls and floors regardless of use and condition." "hidden"? it's right there in the agreement. yes, you need to repaint your space when you're done. they tell you this over and over and over. or, you can let them do it and they'll hold those fees against your deposit. if you don't care for this arrangement, don't rent. I went in open-eyed, accepted the deal, did the painting, and got my full deposit back. Parviz even inspected my unit when I gave notice and told me where to concentrate my efforts when painting. honestly, I think it was very fair. as for noise and smells -- well, this is a different matter. it's an arty place and I think you need to know that going in. if you want a quiet space to write or work, this may not be for you. I never had an issue with odors but I definitely think anything noxious should be dealt with by management. as for "parties" or other less savory types... I didn't see this kind of thing but it would annoy me, to be sure. bathrooms and halls were always clean when I was there. one word of caution is that if your unit faces West you may be in for brutal temperatures during the summers. you'll want a fan at the least. some people put in certain kinds of air conditioning which I would have done if I'd stayed through a second summer. read more

Been here for a few months and very happy with the arrangement. Beth was helpful to work with, and the community of artists is one of the best in the Bay. read more

Best rental deal in Berkeley. Management is very professional and pragmatic. As a former property manager--with rather high standards---I am pleased. Other tenants are kind and contentious, but not invasive. Excellent space to get your work done without distraction. read more

This is a rental that is beyond horrible. The managers are consistently rude, uncooperative, greedy and primitive. Rent has been raised 2times in a 6 week period. Bathrooms are filthy. The area is unsafe --Vagrants all around. Below standard conditions on all levels. Beware--you will not know this unless you actually rent from them...they have broken California code 1941.1 numerous times. read more

This is a great place to rent space. Parviz the manager is super great to work with and keeps the place clean and well managed. There's a parking lot in the back. All the units are inexpensive and decently sized. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a work space. Thanks again for helping us to create a great environment for our growing shop. read more

My dream has come true. I have a workshop! Heat, Water, Utilities are all included with a killer Mexican restaurant (Juans) and coffee shop (Uncommon Grounds) around the corner. I can Blast Johnny Cash, Sabbath or The Clash at 4 am while geeking out on my next fixie, welding furniture or ripping plywood for that cabinet im supposed to make. The place is secure with 24/7 access and any questions/issues ive had have been answered within a few hours. I know 3 other people with spaces there and its nice to check out what other people are doing. I only gave it 3 stars because of the price. 690 for a 14x16x12 space with man and garage door. But hey, this is the bay area and I dont have to pay rent where i live so its not too bad. read more

I was renting a medium size art studio at ActiSpace for over a year and I have all good things to say about it! Its a very safe, private, clean and friendly building. Full of different artists, makers, designers, sculptors, writers and shops. I highly recommend it if you are considering of renting a space to work and be creative. Also, the manager (Parviz) is an amazing guy! He was so friendly and helpful that made my stay there even better! The only reason I left is because I needed a bigger space due to my large scale of paintings I work on. Thank you Parviz for all you support and I will miss painting at ActivSpace. read more

Unit 254 I rented unit 254 for a few months. I was in a rush to get the space so I chose to take the unit "as is" (e.g. No cleaning or painting done by activspace and assumed the responsibility of paying for cleaning and painting service on my departure). At first things were pretty good, Parviz and Beth were responsive and kind. I was in and out the first few weeks due to travel so it took me a little while to realize the problem with the unit. I started to notice a strong smell coming from the unit below. At first it wasn't too bad but then some days it would be very strong, particularly when it was warm outside. Later I realized the smell coincided with the work schedule of the unit below. Like clockwork, Tuesdays through Thursdays from 10am to 4pm, the smell was at its strongest. Over time the I grew to despise the smell, it started making me nauseous the moment I smelled it. I wanted to make things work so I bought a special air cleaning fan but later realized it wasn't making things better. Additionally, I tried adjusting my schedule to work early and late and on the weekends but after a while that wasn't sustainable. I reached out to Beth and Parviz to help me switch units due to the smell. Beth came up to check it out but said she didn't smell anything. I was surprised by this since it was particularly strong that moment, so either she was lying to me to make it sound like they're not admitting a problem or the smell is tolerable at first but your body begins to reject it over time - either way unfair to future tenants if they don't know about this issue. Later I reached out again and they suggested I could move to another unit, but I'd have to paint the walls and floor of the unit I was occupying and have to sign an all new lease with a new deposit for the new unit, etc etc. Since I was willing to make it work and not make a fuss out of it, I was hoping they'd provide good customer service and at least just transfer the lease, seems reasonable enough -- but no they wanted an all-new commitment with more deposit money. How could I sign a new lease when I had just signed another one and ran into a problem because they didn't disclose it proactively? They never apologized nor did they ever admit there was a problem. Either way, I recommend people who need space to do work in the middle of the week to stay away from this unit. read more

Horrible!Parviz is a total jerk. I contacted them via Craigslist and I was able to see 3 spaces that day. It's not a fancy building, and it had it's noises, but I don't mind that. I contacted them to start my new small business, a small breed dog day care. The first day I went, Chris helped me, & was very kind, let me fill out an application, & told me to come back tomorrow with 2 recurring bills to show I pay bills on time, & my checkbook if I wanted to put some of my deposit down. I come back the next day, and there is Parviz. He gives a half hearted smirk at me, and I said, "hey there, how are you!?" All excited, before I realized he on talking to someone on his headphones. He didn't even acknowledge my awkwardness.. which made me feel worse in a way. He just slowly ended the conversation before just looking at me like, "Yes?" So.... I said who I was and that I saw the spaces and which one I wanted and I was ready to write my check! Also, at this point, I should say that they make it pretty clear your not getting it back, and YOU are also going to paint and clean it yourself. So, if that's cool with you, then you won't be mad. To be honest, I was just happy I was getting a space to start my life. Parviz continues to not take my bills, and I had to go back and correct everything and yadda yadda... but hey if I needed to to get the space, sure.. It was more the way he talked at me, like "IT's MY JOB to get you THIS space, RIGHT??!? Ya, great at your job.. :( I got denied the same day! They say they are pet friendly, but didn;t even give me a chance! SO, okay... I took that as a loss, but I asked if I could use the space as an office and storage space, as I would like an actual office to meet my volunteers, and do paperwork here & there with no animals, so I can do my thing with no interruption. Nope, I'm apparently "red flagged" and no matter what, I will never get a space. Parviz said that with a sweet neck roll and a solid stare at me. He gave me my check back and gave me a really pathetic, "mm, sorry.." So.... yeah hella rude and a waste of time. I was okay to get a little shit room for a few hundred a month, but I'm not into the attitude. And who the hell are the owners? I wan;t even able to talk to them, and I really doubt Parviz asked them if I could just have an office. It was just a no no no no no..Where did Chris go!? haha He was nice, but disappeared when I needed approval! haha Oh well... ya lose some, right? :p read more

GREAT GREAT GREAT , If you want to start a business and what 24/7 access and internet, your office away from home,some offices are below 300.00 per month. Did I say 24 hour access and internet. There is no excuse not to be here, Awesome place to run a business and inexpensive and professional, great community. read more

BEWARE!!! I rented spaces twice at the Berkeley Activspace location in past years and had absolutely no problem with management or services. For the third time, I rented a small unit in 2011. I gave required written notice saying I'd vacate at the end of February 2011 after one year's use. Before the end of February 2011, I cleaned the place on time and turned in the key. The Manager checked the unit and asked me to dust the venetian blinds--which I did--before the last day of February. After a month, I had to call to ask about my $450 security deposit refund. I was told it could take 60 days to receive my refund. Today I received a BILL from Activspace saying they charged me $50 for cleaning. The BILL then charged me $20 for "Unit Turnover--Card Key Chg" and $378 for Painting and Prep! The paint job was crap when I moved in and I was told by the then-manager that there would be no problem with the refund if I didn't mind how the place looked when I moved in. When I rented other units in the past there were none of these charges--or attitude. I just called the Berkeley Manager who said she isn't responsible for the refund charges or policy. I asked if she wasn't the one who reported the condition of the unit, who was? She referred me to the Seattle Office for my complaint. This current manager (Tama) was not employed there when I rented spaces in the past or when I rented this third unit in February 2011. I will write to the Seattle office and take it to Small Claims Court if I must. So, prospective renters, BEWARE! The front end might look good, but I think Activspace is trying hard to wring every possible penny out of even good tenants. read more

Just to update - Don't know if James.S the building manager is referring to MY comment. I am NOT a former employee! I rented for almost 4 years By the way James -as to your response to me which was to send a formal written petition to the company back in Seattle - with only a snail mail address - no name or phone number or email - Well I DID send them a letter of complaint and request. I sent it certified - just to make sure it was delivered. It came back a few months later - unaccepted by the Activ space management. I have never been treated so shabbily by any place I have rented from!! AND yes - they've won- I did not further pursue the $75. they deducted from my deposit. Perhaps it doesn't seem like that much to some people - but after also spending my own money and time - it adds up - and I still feel TOTALLY RIPPED OFF!! read more

Rented a storefront space at the Berkeley ActivSpace location. Very pleased with the affordability, size of the unit and well maintained facility. Staff was friendly and prompt in responding to inquiries. Tenants are respectful, and Nina's (restaurant) hospitality is wonderful - you must try her home-style soup! Stayed the six-month minimum and received full refund of deposit. Gave notice accordingly and got timely feedback to leave unit per management expectations. I would highly recommend this facility to those seeking affordable work, art space in east bay. Aswan read more

They are scammers - had same deposit issues as listed below. If you move in read the fine print: You are expected to leave your space BETTER than it was, so make sure it's perfect before moving in, and expect they will find a way to keep your deposit even if you leave it as you found it. If you try to fight it, they will tell you to write some mailing address in Seattle that you'll never hear from, after treating you unprofessionally. Too bad it has gone this path, as it's otherwise a decent environment. Ripping off artists is not cool. read more

The main plus of Activspace is that they have a variety of small units which is hard to find and you get a sink and window. The negatives are that the construction is poor quality. The walls are paper thin. You will need to spend hundreds soundproofing if you don't want to here your neighbors phone conversation or hear when they scoot their chair. You will have little privacy sound wise if you need to have clients come by for appointments or make purchases with your credit card over the phone. read more

Here's the deal. It's mostly an artist building, but it's a hodge podge of tenants. Don't expect to meet a lot of people who work in the same medium as you. You could be a photographer and have a painter on one side and a massage person on the other. You may never see them. You will rarely see anyone on the 2nd or 3rd floors. Doors are closed and halls are empty. There are two open studios. 10% or less tenants participate. It's almost pointless. Parking, utilities and a sink is included. Prices are ok, but that's because units are small. Per square foot, prices are some of the highest. Figure $3/sq ft after you take into account utilities being included. Not bad if you need a tiny studio, but it's easy to find a better deal for medium or large studio. Construction is so so. They made the studios with unfinished walls and plywood floors. Seems kind of cheap finishing for the high price per sq foot, but you can change it if you don't mind spending the money to fix it up. So if you need a really small studio, a sink and are not looking to network a lot with artist who are doing what you do, then you may be happy with activspace. read more

I rented two different studios at ActivSpace in Berkeley between 2013 and summer 2014. The whole property is very well maintained and very well managed. Rent includes all utilities and off street parking which I really appreciated. The building is very well secured and I always felt safe at the studio - no matter the time of day or night. Also, a big plus, I got my security deposit back BOTH times and with no delay. It's pretty easy - leave the studio EXACTLY how it was when you arrived: spotless - and you get your money back. I enjoyed working out of my studios at ActivSpace very much and highly recommend it. read more

Great rates, great professional management, friendly neighbors, and parking in Berkeley! I have been at many different art studios in the area and this is by far the best bang for the buck. read more