A San Francisco development firm has stepped in to provide Oakland’s professional soccer teams with the stability they’ve been seeking, closing on the former Oakland Raiders training complex after a previous buyer withdrew from the deal.
Redco Development completed the $24 million acquisition of the 16.92-acre Alameda site on Thursday, immediately entering into a long-term lease agreement with the Oakland Roots and Oakland Soul soccer clubs, according to the firm. The transaction provides both the city of Oakland and Alameda County with much-needed revenue while securing the teams’ operational future in the East Bay.
The deal represents a significant turnaround from December 2024, when industrial giant Prologis abandoned its planned purchase of the Harbor Bay Parkway properties. That withdrawal had left Oakland facing additional budget pressures amid a $115 million deficit, while the soccer clubs confronted uncertainty about their training operations.
“This agreement is great news for Oakland and our entire sports community,” Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee said in a statement provided to the Business Times. “By securing a long-term home for the Oakland Roots and Soul, we’re not only ensuring the growth and success of these teams, but we’re also investing in our city’s future, building community pride, boosting the local economy, and continuing to position Oakland as a dynamic sports destination.”
The facility, located at 1150 and 1220 Harbor Bay Parkway in Alameda, now renamed the UCSF Health Oakland Roots and Soul Performance Center, encompasses two buildings totaling nearly 119,000 square feet along with professional-grade turf fields and training amenities. The property spans 16.92 acres and includes a 100,607-square-foot state-of-the-art headquarters building, an 18,240-square-foot indoor training center, and multiple outdoor soccer fields. Originally built to professional sports specifications, the facility features top-tier amenities such as full locker rooms, private offices, a media production suite, a theater, conference spaces, and wellness infrastructure including two indoor whirlpools, a plunge pool, and a steam room.
“Roots and Soul are building something really special here in the East Bay, and we’re honored to help anchor that vision with a permanent home,” said Redco’s Managing Partner Chris Freise in a statement. “It’s a win for the club, for the city, and sports fans across the Bay Area.”
Oakland Roots and Soul SC President Lindsay Barenz emphasized that having a strong training facility is vital to the club’s success and expressed gratitude to the city, county, and Redco for helping secure a long-term home near Oakland Airport, calling it a huge step toward sustainability in Oakland.
The transaction ranks among the most competitively priced industrial land sales along the highly desirable I-880 corridor. With proximity to I-880, Oakland International Airport, and Harbor Bay Ferry Terminal, the location offers strategic access to the greater Bay Area and is uniquely positioned for professional sports and large-scale community use.
Colliers’ Joe Yamin, Grant Diede and Will Semone brokered the transaction for the property where the Oakland Roots and Soul soccer clubs have operated for the past four years. The new fifteen-year lease will ensure the property continues to serve as a hub for athletic excellence and community engagement, preserving the legacy of a storied site while propelling it into its next chapter.
“It’s a win-win-win—a win for Oakland soccer, a win for the City of Oakland, and a win for Redco,” said Joe Yamin in the announcement. “We’re proud to have helped secure a permanent home for the Roots and Soul at this legendary facility with a partner like Redco, and we’re excited to see how the clubs continue to grow from here.”
The property is widely regarded as one of the top soccer facilities in the United Soccer League, thanks to world-class amenities inherited from its time as an NFL training headquarters. Chief Real Estate Officer Lydia Tan praised Redco’s creativity in structuring the rent as a market-rate deal that acknowledges the team’s early development phase, allowing sufficient room for investment and improvements while ensuring investors receive market returns.
Both Oakland and Alameda County, which jointly owned the property, will receive approximately $11 million each from the sale after closing costs. The jurisdictions had struggled to monetize the asset since acquiring it in December 2020, including a failed auction attempt in 2023 that generated 65 registered bidders but no successful sale.
The Roots, established in 2018 and competing in the USL Championship since 2021, are playing in the Oakland Coliseum this season and recently sold out their inaugural home opener against San Antonio FC with a record-breaking 26,575 attendance. The team’s commitment to the Coliseum and the city continues to energize Oakland’s community of sports fans.
Tan indicated that once the practice facility is stabilized, the team will focus intensively on securing a permanent venue for the gameday experience. The team is pursuing discussions with multiple parties, including the African American Sports Entertainment Group regarding Coliseum redevelopment and the Port of Oakland concerning Howard Terminal development opportunities.
Tan noted that the deal makes their ability to remain focused on Oakland and the East Bay much more real, allowing them to stay true to their purpose of uplifting the community.
The successful completion of this deal provides both immediate financial relief for local government entities and operational certainty for Oakland’s professional soccer presence, marking a positive development in the city’s ongoing efforts to retain and attract sports organizations.