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The Besler Building at 4053 Harlan Street is a tangible link to Emeryville's ambitious industrial past and the early dreams of the American automobile industry. Originally built in 1923, the concrete factory was constructed by Abner Doble to manufacture the Doble Model E, widely considered the most advanced and exotic steam-powered car of its era. While the cars were technological marvels capable of 95 mph, material shortages and the onset of the Great Depression forced the company into bankruptcy by 1931. The building was then purchased by the Besler brothers, who used the space to keep manufacturing innovative steam engines, even powering the world's first steam-powered airplane flight out of the Oakland airport in 1933. In 1979 the three-story factory was converted into 51 live/work spaces, becoming one of the first industrial loft conversions in the Bay Area. Today the Besler Building offers massive, open-concept lofts that preserve the building's 14-foot timber ceilings, Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired columns, and massive industrial windows, anchoring the heart of Emeryville's Park Avenue District right next to Pixar Animation Studios.
After buying the bankrupt plant, William and George Besler used the facility to build a lightweight 150-horsepower steam engine. On April 12, 1933, they used it to fly a Travel Air 2000 biplane out of the Oakland airport, the first airplane flight ever powered by a steam engine.
There are currently no active public listings at Besler Building Lofts. However, off-market opportunities and incoming listings don't always appear immediately online. If you are interested in a home here, let me know and I will check direct channels and upcoming inventory for you.
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Auguste sells in this building and knows what’s active, what’s coming, and what units actually trade for. Ask him directly for the current picture.
A straight read on this building from the broker who sells in it. No pressure, no obligation.
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© 2026 Bay East. © 2026 CCAR. © 2026 EBRD. All rights reserved. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. This information is provided from three separate sources: Bay East, CCAR and EBRD. The listings presented here may or may not be listed by the Broker/Agent operating this website. The information being provided is for consumers personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Data last updated on Tuesday, October 20th, 2026 at 07:25:19 AM.
