Our Story

Artthaus Studios is the intersection of creative offices, artist studios, and makers studios, all under one roof.

Now and Then

The Idea Behind Artthaus Studios

Artthaus Studios is a unique location in Oakland that reflects the historic manufacturing roots of the area. When acquired by Riaz Capital, a new idea emerged - to create a new work environment for today's dynamic creative community.

From small workspaces to premium storefronts, we are taking the office leasing experience to the next level. We offer our members customized built-out spaces, turn-key solutions and access to professional amenities.

We also provide a multidisciplinary educational platform called Artthaus Forum.

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More than just a place to work

THRIVE AT ARTTHAUS STUDIOS

With Artthaus, you won't only find a workspace but a community where you can connect with other creators and entrepreneurs.

Our members often share resources, turn into clients for one another, and collaborate on ideas that expand their thinking and work.

Step into a world of opportunities at Artthaus and unleash your potential.

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Cultivating Community
and Connection

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Providing Opportunity
for Growth

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Inspiring Positive
Creative Energy

Values = Growth

Commitment to Community

We don’t just rent spaces; we are committed to an inclusive and expansive community. We focus on environmental sustainability and giving back to important Oakland causes that support housing and the arts.

Meet the Founder

Riaz Taplin

Riaz Taplin is the visionary behind Artthaus. After earning his BA, from London School of Economics, he founded a successful design-build firm in San Francisco. He also joined the Board of Oakland Promise, SPUR - the urban planning think tank, and the American Indian Foundation.

Riaz's community commitment brought him to developing workforce housing; and eventually to the vision of creating Artthaus Studios - a place where creative entrepreneurs in Oakland can grow and thrive. His focus on the whole community allowed him to see the value of a thriving business-arts community environment and the value of supporting Oakland housing and the arts.

Today, Riaz leads a team of over 30 professionals who manage over 1500 units with a further 1700 in development.

To learn more, watch our ‘Meet the founder’ video.

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We don't just rent spaces; we are committed to the community.

The People at Artthaus

Meet the Team

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Joann Mallari

COMMUNITY DIRECTOR

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Eric Stephenson

COMMUNITY ASSOCIATE - OPERATIONS

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Oliver Gaytan

COMMUNITY ASSOCIATE - EVENTS

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Jamshid Bigzad

MAINTENANCE LEAD

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    Joann Mallari

    COMMUNITY DIRECTOR

    With over 25 years' experience, Joann is no stranger to the operational functions of a company both internally among work groups as well as interacting with vendors and clients. She recently had the privilege of working as the Director of Operations for a boutique hotel located in the Bay Area and has also enjoyed her experience serving as the Human Resources liaison between management, C- level executives, and workgroups and in the field of Accounting.When not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and relaxing at their home in the East Bay. She loves to bake and experiment with new ways to create desserts and pastries that are connected with her culture and the ingredients she loves.

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        Eric Stephenson

        COMMUNITY ASSOCIATE - OPERATIONS

        Originally from Ontario, Canada, Eric is a graduate of Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania. He spent the last eleven years in New York, where he worked as a professional actor and in operations for various companies. At Artthaus Studios, he helps to manage the various vendors and maintenance projects required to keep it a vibrant place for artists, startups, and nonprofits. In his spare time, he enjoys phone banking for elections and hiking with his dog, Jamie.

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            Oliver Gaytan

            COMMUNITY ASSOCIATE - EVENTS

            Oliver joined the Riaz Capital team as an Artthaus Community Associate with a focus on events. Since moving to the Bay Area in 2011, originally from a small town in Texas, Oliver has worked at and helped open some of the Bay Area's favorite restaurants as well as booking large and small events for a local edible company. In his spare time, he likes to paint, make music, and attend guided tours around the Bay Area.

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                Jamshid Bigzad

                MAINTENANCE LEAD

                Jamshid has worked for the US Army in Engineering from 2011 to 2016 in Afghanistan. He moved to the United States and worked for a packing company before coming to Artthaus Studios as a Maintenance Technician. He loves playing and watching soccer and spending time with his family.

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                  “Artthaus is a fantastic space with a lot of art on the walls - it is quite inspirational. The common areas are comfortable, and amenities abound. ”

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                  Puran Parsani

                  “Artthaus has a great staff. I've been here for over two years. The spaces are encased in a very esthetically-pleasing environment and the neighborhood of tenants is great.”

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                  Jules Moore
                  AT ARTTHAUS OVER 2 YEARS

                  Questions? Comments?
                  We’d love to hear from you.

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