DO NOT LIVE HERE! Noise, bad management, lies, there is no community. Like Others has posted it's mostly a retirement home. Nobody's an artist here anymore. Just people who complain because they're old. They have no businesses and complaining about businesses making noise. This is a commercial building. Full of people who don't use it as such. read more

Ive Driven by this Building for years on my way to Chinatown. It reminds me of the Carleton Hotel from the movie New Jack City. I was at the Cotton Mill Studios for a Yelp Elite Event and F3 their Monthly event. The Lofts were quite nice. F3 is quite the event and it held monthly. Most of the Lofts are open to the Public. F3 is a sensory overload of Art,Jewerly and Fashions and Shows Walking thru the Lofts is like walking thru a maze of creativity . You just don't know whats around each corner. F3 is definitely a cool event. l read more

A friend of ours was looking into a loft and had left several messages on their voicemail in which the outgoing message states they hold an open house on Thursdays. Our filmmaker friend asked us to check it out for him since he relocated here from Chicago and most of the residences are creative at Cotton Mill Studios. There is a gigantic sign on the building that says "Now Renting" in huge letters which can be viewed from the freeway. So we go and ask around for the Manager, we find her and ask her for more info. The way she treated us was so inappropriate. She acted as if we were absurd to attempt to attend an open house at Cotton Mill Studios. She said there have not been any openings at all recently, nor does she know if there will be any. For reals? The voice mail stated for inquiries and that open houses are on Thursdays! The HUGE FREEWAY sign says as well, just drove across the Bay Bridge for this? Boo...Not a good business practice! Take down that sign on your building! *Passed by 8/3/15 the "Now Renting" banner is still up, but their attitudes have not changed I see after reading other Yelpers reviews. I realized this business definitely judges/racially profiles people. Probably not the kind of place you want to live. Btw the property manager took one look at us and said there were no openings. That's unfortunate because they are located in Oakland. This should be a feature story on 7 on Your Side TV show or reported to Fair Housing practices. Def not a good look Cotton Mill Studios: what you put out in the Universe comes back to you. read more

Cotton Mill is a nice set of lofts, with mostly very nice people living there. However, there are a few flaws that make this a negative review. First, the 880 is literally 30 feet away. You cannot ignore the air pollution that is concentrated there. The evidence is the soot that collects on your parked car, that does not happen just 500 feet further away. Next, and most important for the potential tenant to know upfront: The NOISE of all of your fellow-loft mates is incredible, but not that surprising. It was a FACTORY, after all, and the floors were built to be strong, but sound was never an issue. The management claims that the walls are insulated, which may be true, but the sounds between floors are unhindered by the hardwood floor/ceiling. I have heard people coughing, doing dishes, just walking around, doing nothing more noisy than LIVING in their loft, as if they were in the room with us. If you can get past the sound issues, then you may really like this place, even if it is a bit over-priced. The majority of the people are cool, and their quarterly open houses are way cool. But make no mistake, this is a Live/WORK space, and so if you expect the quiet suburbs, you will be irate. read more

Brick walls on one end of the flat? Check. 15 foot high windows? Check. Ability to see a big sky? Check. Neighbors hanging around a fire pit sharing stories of their day and offering you food and drink? Check. Ridiculous amount of talented artists and entreprenuers? Check. Friendly building manager that takes her job very seriously, but will also ask if you'd like to go to Jon's Street Eats for a bite? Check. A dishwasher. A DISHWASHER. Check. Custom designed layout with a sitcom-worthy cool factor? Check. (They actually filmed a pilot for a show there.) You can walk to Alameda. One of the most involved email lists in history. Barbecues. Party Karty. You can defend this place against zombies. Tenants already have a plan. I could go on, but I won't. Well.... Actually, my wife and I were looking at a smaller suite there, and then saw 304. We actually gasped when we saw it. That's how cool it was. We tried to fill the space as much as possible, but it was DAMN BIG. If you are looking for loft/live/work kind of situation, check this place out. If you are an artist, they have an amazing show called F3 you should check out. Now, a warning. If you are on the freeway side, there is a bit of noise from the freeway. Not horrific, just a mild oceanic sound. DO NOT SPILL ANYTHING ON THE FLOOR. You'll drench your neighbor. Other than that, have a blast. This is the kind of place to build memories in. All of that stuff I listed earlier is absolutely true and you should meet Marsha, the building manager. She's the backbone of that building. -David read more

This review won't quite do justice to the unique living space that is Cotton Mill Studios. Having recently walked through its corridors, just imagining the artistry that lies behind every closed door, I quickly imagined myself a designer or artist resting my bones here every night amid a dorm-like setting with a bunch of other individuals from the creative class. The lofts are grandiose and what gives them character is what sets them apart. Cotton Mill Studios is literally off the beaten path and the residents here take refuge in their blissful sanctuary. There's a cooperative spirit and a general niceness that I've yet to find in any living arrangement. If you're one of the lucky few who gets to live here, expect to know your neighbors (both good and bad, I can imagine), partake in celebratory activities with your new friends and even show off the fruits of your labor at F3, a new monthly event where many of the resident artists open their doors to the public at large. A truly unique living space that, were I a social scientist, would offer a most perfect microcosmic view of new Oakland. read more

What a rad artist space/community! Having spent little time in East Bay, I had no idea this place even existed. But thanks to Monica S, I got a mini tour just a few short weeks ago. If I lived in East Bay, I would totally nab a loft here, too. The night we were there, not only was a fun Yelp event going down, but there was also a fashion show and open gallery. Tons of interesting folks wandering the halls of this massive space, looking at art and sharing ideas. Not sure if they have cool events like this happening on a regular basis, but I would imagine with all the creative people living here, there's all kinds of crazy cool things happening in the evenings. Is parking a little difficult? Yes. But it's worth the extra time of finding a spot, just to get a sneak peek at what's inside. You won't regret it! read more

We currently live here, and have lived here for the past year, To call this place a noise nightmare is an understatement, We are harassed daily by our neighbor below us for making too much noise for things like walking around "barefoot", Using aluminum Foil, cooking, Phone ringing. If you cough past 10 pm you will get a complaint. there is zero sound proofing, your floor is the neighbors ceiling, there are holes in the floor that allow us to see down at our neighbor clearly, and they are all over. So unless you are very comfortable with people looking at you naked....best pass..If you smoke, they smell it and complain, if you cook...they smell it and complain. This building might appear to be an artist friendly Residence but it cannot be further from the truth. Even a couple that works on a computer 24-7, and never play loud music, are considered loud tenants. Be very wary of this place also beware of the "free internet" claim, yes its free and yes its a T3, we get a turtle slow speed equivalent to a 1980s 56k modem. I can only dream of you tube Not for anyone under 75 years of age Cotton Mill Studios??? more like Cotton Mills Retirement Home read more

I currently live here, and I cant say enough good things about the place. First of all the building is as cool as it gets, it has great character and personality, all the units are different so it adds to the fun of the building. Second of all the people living here are fun and entertaining bunch, if you move here you will form part of a community where people interact and become good neighbors and good friends. The management is awesome, always concerned with everything going on with the tenants and the building, responsive and positive. I love living here and could not be happier! Come visit and check out the units, you will enjoy it. read more

I love my Cotton Mill Studios loft! I've lived in the building since it opened four years ago and plan to stay. I have amazing views, gorgeous brick walls, hardwood floors, a stainless steel kitchen, large bathroom and wonderful/talented neighbors. The owner and on-site management are responsive and clearly take pride in both the space and the community. read more

I came here yesterday for a fashion show fitting and was able to see one loft. I was amazed. The lofts seemed to have an urban feel and a LOT of space. The loft that i went to had enough room for a living room, a bedroom downstairs, (fashion designers live here) and a loft that could be another bedroom or office space. Super awesome. the kitchen area is really cute and spacious too. The loft seems to be very airy with the floor to ceiling windows and the super high ceilings. Storiage is also available via a ladder. so awesome! If work distance isn't an issue, i'd definitely consider getting a place here. read more

All they do is hold scheduled tours and collect money from people for running credit checks (which are free by the way) but they charge $35 per person and won't even give you the common courtesy to return your call when you inquire about the results of their decision, it's extremely unprofessional , I sent countless emails just asking routine questions with NO response. The day I toured there were 8 other couples that applied for the same unit and that was 2 months ago and the unit is still available ! do the math , why are these places able to just keep collecting money for application fees for months and not have to rent the place, I don't believe that no one has qualified to rent out a loft space in this building? What can be done to stop this type of practice? I have really good credit, make over 4 times the rent, never any evictions, excellent rental history, in fact the last 30 years I have only lived in 2 places! The gentleman that hosted the tour said being an artist is a plus, I am an artist! there is something very wrong going on in this place and by some of the past reviews there is definitely a pattern of just collecting applications fees read more

I wish I could say that I lived here and get to enjoy the awesomeness of the Cotton Mill Studios on a daily basis...but I don't, and I'm certainly not any sort of designer or artist. I did however attend the F3 event earlier this month (thank you Yelp Elite for having a party here and introducing me to this event, I really enjoyed all of the art, jewelry, food, drinks and fashion show--soo much fun!) I love the industrial chic feeling of the lofts and whole building! The Cotton Mill Studios are really one of a kind, Monica S. really hit it on the nose with her comparison of a dorm-like setting with all of the creative bunch...I'd imagine that this setting is extremely conducive to one's artistic development. I'm definitely jealous of the residents here and I will absolutely be back for the next F3 event! read more

I was among the first tenants of this remarkable, historic (1917), building. After a dozen years back in the Bay area I had looked at, explored, and "kicked the tires" of every historic-reuse-remodel loft development from China Basin to Point Richmond. This developer (Rush Properties) used great care and artistic verve in carving 74 unique units out of this old California Cotton Mill. From the modest to the vaulted, with 18" thick brick walls, ten foot widows, original sliding metal fire doors (!) and hard wood floors, this is one charming and inspiring place to live. Every unit has its own character, but each is fitted with brand new, stainless steel appliances and granite-countered kitchens. The over-sized bathrooms (shower and tub) become the bottom level of a sleeping loft in every units. Many of the suites are used as just a business, most are the work-live residences of a playful assemblage of creative types from designers and painters, photographers, web folks, car designers, aroma therapists, to retired ventriloquist (and published author...moi), galleries, gallery owners, and the largest mail-order classic musical CD collection anywhere! The current building manager lives on site and is a delightful, fair, and highly-communicative woman who--if you're lucky--will invite you to one of her great meals. The owner (who over-saw ever inch of the redux) is, himself, an artist and the building is all the more elegant for his keen aesthetic eye. Now in its fourth year the old lady (the building) has seen a colorful parade of tenants--not all of whom left with a smile. Don't allow a few schoolyard whiners who choose to "yelp" their petty grievances online keep you from visiting and LIVING IN "The Cotton Club." All units are rental only and a one year lease begins your inspiring new life there. This is not a co-op or commune, but there is grand and festive community among many of the residence: summer B-B-Q's on the "patio, gardening club, and outings to local eateries, pubs, and events. THe intranet provides a resource for rides to the market or OAKland airport (just four miles away.) And almost every week some one is remodeling or sorting their life's collection and "free furniture in the hall on third floor....come now." Each unit is cable and phone-ready with high-speed, T-1 internet connection ready to go! I have relocated (as of Jan '09) to Colorado for a great new professional opportunity. But leaving my home on the second floor with a grand view of the Oakland hills and the soothing passing trains was a sad and difficult parting. I miss all my good friends in the Bay area. And one of those friends is a four story, brick cotton mill that stands with such pride that the 880 freeway (at 23rd Ave.) must bend and curve around her from respect. read more

Marie P consider your friend lucky! So I was looking for a place around July of 2014 as I received a job promotion to move to the Bay Area from Las Vegas. I found this place online and thought it looked really great for the price! After a few phone calls I got through to the resident manager and arranged a viewing and drove from Las Vegas to check out unit 302 (I think that was the number?) She showed me the unit which was huge and really nice for the price! Gave me a tour of the back area with BBQ's and all the common areas. I really liked it and she was really nice to me. So I had my application filled out already and wanted to submit it before I went back to Las Vegas. She suggested I take it direct to the owner Francis over at his office off West Grand and Adeline. I gave him a call and asked if I could bring it and he agreed. I got to the building which had a locked door and when I called him to let me in he tried buzzing me in but the door didn't work so he had to come down to let me in which I could see he was annoyed by (Boo Hoo) So I put my hand out to shake his and he just looked at it! I was pissed! So I kept it out until he shook it! That should have been the first sign I don't want to give this guy my money! So we went upstairs to his office he looked at my application he asked if I was an artist which I am not. I asked if I had to be he said not necessarily but I could tell he just wanted me to leave. Then I asked to submit my application and pay the $35 fee which I paid in cash. I asked if he had an idea when he would decide who got the unit he said "This is not Vegas! I don't just move anybody in here!" with a snotty attitude. I blew it off even though I was pissed by his rudeness! Then I said well let me know when you can and he said maybe by the following Friday he would let me know. So I waited and called him on that Friday around 2 in the afternoon and he basically sounded like he had no clue who I was and then proceed to tell me he gave the unit to someone else days ago! He couldn't call me? Or at least delegated the task to the Property Manager? Totally unprofessional! Glad I am not giving him a dime! And by the way I have been with my company 21 years! Clean criminal record and great credit score so think maybe he just didn't like my face? I didn't like his either! Place is awesome if he sells it I would move there... read more

It's a gorgeous building. It's a shame that when you call the number on the building, you're led to a voicemail saying that a 1100 square foot apartment is $1300/mo. Once you get to the open house, the building manager tells you the same apartment is $1950/mo "or a little bit higher." Shady as hell. read more

There is a $35 application fee for a couple- fine. But... They will take your application fee, along with however many dozens of other applications they get during the multiple weeks the loft is shown. And then they won't run a credit check (you can look up online whether a credit check has been run on you). And they won't contact your references. The purpose of charging an application fee is to have reasonable resources to cover the time and money spent reviewing an application. Taking checks and then depositing them without ever doing *any* of the work associated with the fees is unethical. They were unresponsive to my request for a copy of the credit check, probably because they just wanted to drum up some party cash from hopeful apartment-seekers. The place looked nice, but the business practices are not so great. read more

I moved in a month ago and am still busy unpacking boxes and setting everything up (home studio for film & video post production and music composition). It is an absolutely wonderful place with huge industrial sized lofts and windows. The conversion former warehouse was well done with high end materials, nice marble top kitchen, brand new fridge, freezer, dishwasher and oven, and so on. They spared no expense and paid attention to details such as industrial pipes and beams which run through the building. The neighbors are super nice, I believe most all of them are artists in some way, shape or form (sculptors, painters, jewelry). They organize a 3 monthly F3 art exhibition which you should definitely check out, very cool. The neighborhood is very cool, industrial and somewhat gritty (graffiti, garbage) but we're working hard to clean it up and keep it that way. Right next to the Nimitz freeway so depending on the traffic I can be in downtown SF in less than 30 minutes. The only disadvantage is that the construction of the hardwood floors makes the place susceptible to noise, especially flanking noise and noise creeping through the cracks in the floor (the walls are pretty decent by the way, very little sound leakage). It will take me some time and money soundproofing the floor, but well worth the effort. Rent is very reasonable, a mere fraction of what you would pay for something comparable in San Francisco. Some more pictures of the place I moved into: [IMG]http://i39.tinypic.com/2qa0pbq.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i40.tinypic.com/2w72t02.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i39.tinypic.com/faq247.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i43.tinypic.com/r6yd6w.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i41.tinypic.com/a2dld1.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i39.tinypic.com/2w7n9z5.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i42.tinypic.com/2ijhhyw.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i43.tinypic.com/2e51c2q.jpg[/IMG] read more

Amazing lofts with some amazing people. Yes, there can be sound issues as the floors especially are quite thin, but this need not be an issue if you work with them and make sure upon moving in that they have compatible schedules/lifestyles to your own. The community is wonderful and filled with helpful people and the staff does their very best to keep things running smoothly. The best part is the building itself which is simply unparalleled. Huge expanses of windows (with amazing views on the upper floors) and gorgeous original hardwood floors. The kitchens and bathrooms are fully updated and wonderful as well. If you are interested in a beautiful artistic location with lots of room but modern conveniences and a wonderful community then you cannot go wrong with the cotton mills studios! read more

So BEWARE! Most people who have reviewed this place DO NOT live here. They have been bamboozled by the EYE CANDY that is the Cotton Mill. I lived here for one year. Albeit beautiful, it is loud and smelly! Smoke, cooking, cigarette, pot, sound, music, sex, it all carries through the thin walls and floors of the Cotton Mill. There is never enough space in the dumpsters so that is a mess. Packages get stolen regularly, I had one flat out disappear, as did many others. The building manager and maintenance guy are always unavailable and do not fix anything. If someone spills on the floor, it drips down to your unit. If you spill, it drips down onto them. That includes cat pee! If someone drops something the dust and debris falls onto you, even the closet where my clothes are. During rainy season the parking lot FLOODS. People's cars are almost up to the bottom of the car in water. If someone breaks the elevator the residents have to pay. The bathroom floors are impossible to clean, they are made of a weird, grated type plastic. Even the trains are ok, but it is not really livable, nice to look at, bad to live in. read more

This place is an artist haven. I came here yesterday to see the artists perform and showcase their talented works in their lofts. The environment fosters and caters to the soul of the gifted and the building tends to manifest itself coming to life with the originality, creativity, inspirational, and imaginative traits of their residents. The lofts themselves are spacious with high vaulted ceilings, large windows, wooden floors useful to exhibit the artist, fashion designer, jewelry maker, actor, comedian, and musicians life's work. An enchanting place for all visitors coming through and its residents living here. read more

My husband and I totally miss this place. Definitely the coolest place we've ever lived! We used to live here back in 2005 when it first opened. Our unit was on the 3rd floor (corner) with a magnificent view of the Bay Bridge. All units come equipped with granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, huge bathrooms with large, oval bathtubs. The only downside r the original wood floors and paper thin walls... I used to be able to hear my neighbor's alarm clock! One time I was chillen' at my girlfriends unit on the second floor and we were joking about how old the floors were. We were able to slip a piece of paper through one of the cracks and the man downstairs said, "I think you dropped something!" We got on our hands and knees and could actually see him through the crack. For the most part Cotton Mills was an awesome place to live... most of our neighbors were aspiring artists, entrepreneurs, professionals and just open-minded, sociable individuals. If you fall in any one of these categories these neighbors ideal. read more

I lived here for two years right after it opened. I really liked living here but some of the common area fees and upkeep were frustrating. I got along well with the owner, but many people do not. I had a large woodshop in my loft and it was kind of a dream come true for a while - I dont think I will ever have that much space again. The neighborhood is grim and you arent really near anything, but I was very happy inside my oasis. read more

I lived at CMS for 4 1/2 years and it was a tough decision to leave when I was offered a job in another city. This was my dream loft and it was (and is) full of creative, imaginative people. It is a community unto itself, with great vibes. The floors are not thin, they are 13" thick, but the ceiling is the bottom of the floor above, so yes, sound does travel, but that one drawback is worth all of the other good things about Cottonmill Studios - the great kitchen, unique live/work areas, a variety of floor plans, great neighbors, and the trains - I loved watching the trains go by! With the advent of F3 quarterly exhibits (I get to be a CMS alumni exhibitor) what could be more fun? Thomas Dolan did a great job in renovating the building and turning it into a first class live/work loft building. The building owner is considerate and the building manager is like a house mother to a bunch of frat kids! I loved it and if I move back to Oakland, it's the first place I'll go to for a home. read more