Align proposes senior towers over Rockridge Trader Joe's site.

Source: bizjournals.com

TL;DR

The story at a glance

Align Real Estate, partnering with Albertsons (Safeway's parent), filed plans on April 22, 2026, to replace the Trader Joe's store and parking lot at 5727 College Ave. in Oakland's Rockridge neighborhood with two senior housing towers totaling 415 units. Unlike Align's prior Safeway redevelopments that kept grocery space, this project has none. The story is reported now because the application was just submitted to Oakland planning officials.[[1]](https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2026/04/22/align-safeway-college-avenue-trader-joes-housing.html)[[2]](https://oaklandside.org/2026/04/22/rockridge-trader-joes-senior-housing-towers-align-real-estate)

Key points

Details and context

The Rockridge site is owned by Albertsons, which also owns Safeway; a Safeway store sits nearby on College Avenue's retail corridor. Align has pursued multiple Bay Area grocery redevelopments, often retaining stores below housing, but this one skips that due to the rival Trader Joe's tenancy.[[1]](https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2026/04/22/align-safeway-college-avenue-trader-joes-housing.html)[[2]](https://oaklandside.org/2026/04/22/rockridge-trader-joes-senior-housing-towers-align-real-estate)

Local group Rockridge Community Planning Council objects, calling Trader Joe's the neighborhood's only affordable, unionized grocery and urging its retention alongside scaled-back housing.[[2]](https://oaklandside.org/2026/04/22/rockridge-trader-joes-senior-housing-towers-align-real-estate)

The proposal emphasizes senior housing near transit to support aging in place, part of Align's broader push on underused parking lots at urban grocery sites.[[3]](https://sfist.com/2026/04/22/rockridge-trader-joes-could-be-redeveloped-as-senior-living-highrises)

Key quotes

David Balducci, Align Real Estate: "By placing senior housing near transit, services and shops, we’re giving older adults the opportunity to age in place with dignity and independence, while also freeing up family homes for the next generation."[[3]](https://sfist.com/2026/04/22/rockridge-trader-joes-could-be-redeveloped-as-senior-living-highrises)[[2]](https://oaklandside.org/2026/04/22/rockridge-trader-joes-senior-housing-towers-align-real-estate)

Rockridge Community Planning Council: "Trader Joe’s is a vital part of the community... It is the only affordable grocery option in the neighborhood, and it is the first unionized Trader Joe’s in the country."[[2]](https://oaklandside.org/2026/04/22/rockridge-trader-joes-senior-housing-towers-align-real-estate)

Why it matters

Albertsons-owned grocery sites with parking lots represent prime infill opportunities amid Bay Area housing shortages, especially for seniors in pricey areas like Rockridge. Losing Trader Joe's could disrupt local shopping in a walkable neighborhood with limited affordable options, while adding 415 units addresses aging-in-place needs but raises height and scale concerns. Watch Oakland planning's review under state streamlining laws, local opposition, and whether Trader Joe's relocation or retention emerges.

What changed

Omit - no prior state change described in article.

FAQ

Q: What replaces the Trader Joe's at 5727 College Ave.?

A: Align Real Estate proposes two towers with 415 senior living units: 371 independent, 18 assisted, and 26 memory care. The site currently holds the store and parking; no new retail or grocery is planned. Renderings show the towers by SCB Architecture.[[2]](https://oaklandside.org/2026/04/22/rockridge-trader-joes-senior-housing-towers-align-real-estate)

Q: Why does this project differ from Align's Safeway redevelopments?

A: Past projects kept grocery space on the ground floor, but this one on Albertsons land with Trader Joe's has none. It's focused solely on senior housing without retail replacement.[[1]](https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2026/04/22/align-safeway-college-avenue-trader-joes-housing.html)

Q: Under what law is faster approval sought?

A: The proposal qualifies as a housing development project under California's 2019 Housing Accountability Act. This streamlines review and offers flexibility for projects like this near transit.[[2]](https://oaklandside.org/2026/04/22/rockridge-trader-joes-senior-housing-towers-align-real-estate)

Q: Who owns the Rockridge site?

A: Albertsons owns the 1.5-acre parcel; Trader Joe's has leased it since 2007 after it was an Albertsons store. A nearby Safeway adds to the area's grocery options.[[3]](https://sfist.com/2026/04/22/rockridge-trader-joes-could-be-redeveloped-as-senior-living-highrises)