We began the new year with some distressing news: UC Berkeley has advised us that they intend to tear down three landmarked, historic, nationally-recognized buildings at the Anna Head School in order to build student housing.
Over these past five years, our purpose has been to help the University develop a plan for its Anna Head property that meets UC Berkeley’s strategic needs, and that aligns with the interests of the City and the Anna Head School community. In April 2024 we received the report prepared by UC consultants, Hanbury Architects, presenting three models that demonstrated how to build student housing on the Anna Head site, and to save and restore the historic, nationally-recognized, landmarked Channing Hall. We support the Hanbury Report plans that include saving Channing Hall.
In a phone call in January with University officials, we learned UC Berkeley has now made it a priority to build housing on the Anna Head site. But we also learned that it plans to destroy all three landmarked, historic buildings (leaving two buildings from the original Anna Head School that have already been renovated). We are firmly opposed to this plan, especially since the University has viable alternatives. We believe that should the University proceed with this plan, it will encounter significant resistance, from UC alumni, the Anna Head/Head-Royce community, local and national preservation organizations, elected Berkeley officials, and members of the wider community. This kind of community opposition will not serve UC well--it will delay the project considerably, increase construction costs, generate ill will, and tarnish the University’s reputation. There is a very real prospect of repeating the long-running battle over the People’s Park dorm. We note that even a one-year delay in the project could add an amount equal to the estimated costs of renovating Channing Hall.
As supporters and volunteers, we recognize that it will take resources to renovate Channing Hall, and we have offered to help raise funds when the University has a plan to present to potential donors. If UC elects to save Channing, it will be important for the community to understand why all buildings cannot be saved, including Gables and Study Hall, and why student housing should be built on the site. We continue to offer our support to help explain the plan.
But time is running out. We urge you to join in asking Chancellor Rich Lyons and his administration to pull back from the plans they have announced to demolish three nationally-recognized, historic, landmarked structures, and to work with the Anna Head Steering Committee and its many supporters to develop a plan to save Channing Hall, and to build student housing. We understand the University is beginning a public process in March and will share information on how to participate as soon as we receive it. We believe that if the University were to adopt a plan to save Channing Hall while building student housing, it would be a win-win-win, for the University, for Berkeley, and for the Anna Head community.
The Save Anna Head School Steering Committee
Paul Chapman, Chuck Palley, Kit Ratcliff ’68, Nan Warren AHS ‘60