[hi123]

Does anyone know what is being built at the spot where the yellow crane is in this photo (from "pizza bagels" on flickr.com)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4451900775_acbb39144c_b.jpg

[peanut gallery]

It is the lot just west of the Ellis St. Parking Garage near the Apple Store.

Here:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=72+ellis+st+san+francisco&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=72+Ellis+St,+San+Francisco,+CA+94102&gl=us&ei=mcSrS567A4XcsgP22dXkDQ&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CAsQ8gEwAA

But is it an add-on the the Union Square Hotel or a brand new hotel that will basically butt-up against the existing one? It's the same company and they will touch in back, I believe. The article made it sound like a new stand-alone hotel, but I wonder if they'll actually make it an addition to what they already have.

[1977]

But is it an add-on the the Union Square Hotel or a brand new hotel that will basically butt-up against the existing one? It's the same company and they will touch in back, I believe. The article made it sound like a new stand-alone hotel, but I wonder if they'll actually make it an addition to what they already have.

Ah, I'm not sure...but like you said, the article made it seem like they were building a stand-alone hotel. Either way, it'll be great to see that parking lot go.

[peanut gallery]

^^^hi123 - there's a project in or near Japantown on Geary that has a crane, but if this is taken from Alamo Square, that would be on the other side of the cathedral. So, this is a long-winded way to say I'm not sure.

[peanut gallery]

Ah, I'm not sure...but like you said, the article made it seem like they were building a stand-alone hotel. Either way, it'll be great to see that parking lot go.

No doubt about that!

[hi123]

yes the photo is indeed taken from alamo square. If it has a crane like that the project must be sizable! Hmm..

[Jerry of San Fran]

yes the photo is indeed taken from alamo square. If it has a crane like that the project must be sizable! Hmm..

The crane is just below St. Mary's Cathedral (catholic) on Cathedral Hill. It is probably part of the new building for the De Paul Campus of the school, part of the plans to expand by 2020, including a 300 seat theater.

Next time I go to an organ concert at St. Mark's Luthern Church (a welcoming community for all) I will have to pay attention to the construction project. I noticed it a few weeks ago when in the neighborhood but thought it was new housing.

Nice pic hi123.

[dr_strangelove]

Don't know the name of this project, but it's on 9th st. between Mission and Market. Not a bad looking building.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4501308588_6fcf1de993_b.jpg

[peanut gallery]

That's the Mercy Housing annex. The main building is on the corner of 10th and Mission. No one has posted a photo update of it in awhile, so thanks for doing so.

[BTinSF]

:previous: Now if somebody would just come up with a new development plan for the vacant lot from which the photo was taken (which I think was where the workmens' comp insurance outfit was once slated to go).

[BTinSF]

Although most of us will never go there and might not even notice, we should probably acknowledge the major transformation of some of the city's nastiest public housing that has just begun:

hHunters View construction breaks ground
Heather Knight, Chronicle Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 7, 2010

One month after taking office in early 2004, Mayor Gavin Newsom loaded his department heads onto a bus to show them Hunters View, the public housing project in Hunters Point deemed one of the worst in the country by federal inspectors.

That fall, Newsom announced in his first State of the City address the creation of a program to rebuild Hunters View and other notorious public housing developments around San Francisco . . . .

Five-and-a-half years later, today marks the official beginning of making that promise come true: the groundbreaking of a rebuilt Hunters View.

Demolition of the first 113 of the development's 267 units is expected to be completed by July, and their replacements, along with a new park, new streets, a new sewer system and other infrastructure, should be in place by the end of 2011.

Additional phases include rebuilding the rest of the public housing units, as well as 84 new affordable rental units and 350-450 market-rate condos and townhomes with a final completion date expected sometime in 2015 . . . .

http://imgs.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2010/04/06/ba-huntersview07_0501446285.jpg

http://imgs.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2010/04/06/ba-huntersview07_0501446218.jpg
Source: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/04/07/BAIJ1CQN1U.DTL

[peanut gallery]

That's great to see. I'm sure you also saw the plan for Potrero (http://www.socketsite.com/archives/2010/04/rebuild_potrero_the_master_plan_progress_and_community.html)? I love that they're integrating with the existing street grid.

[1977]

I'm not very impressed with this one but I thought I would post it anyhow....

From Curbed SF:

564 Howard

http://cdn0.cstatic.net/cache/gallery/4043/4465483954_598864b7da_o.png

http://cdn0.cstatic.net/cache/gallery/2683/4464707055_06fdeed4f6_o.jpg

http://cdn0.cstatic.net/cache/gallery/2702/4465484008_5dd02c24af_o.jpg


Source: http://sf.curbed.com/archives/2010/03/26/soma_project_goes_back_to_the_drawing_board_to_add_a_rear_yard.php

[1977]

That's great to see. I'm sure you also saw the plan for Potrero (http://www.socketsite.com/archives/2010/04/rebuild_potrero_the_master_plan_progress_and_community.html)? I love that they're integrating with the existing street grid.

I like it. I really hope this will create a safer and more livable environment for everyone in the area.

[peanut gallery]

on 564 Howard: Remember that the ramps to the new terminal will be straight and right up against this lot. So, those units on the second and third floors will get quite a rumble every time a bus goes in and out of there.

But imagine how this will look if it gets built, along with the proposal for the lot that will be open once they move the ramps. The ramp will have two relatively tall towers right on either side of it as busses move in and out of the terminal. Not great for the tenants but an interesting view for the bus passengers. Like two sentinels guarding Transbay!

[BTinSF]

Designs For Building Senior Housing At 121 Golden Gate Avenue

The proposed project [at 121 Golden Gate Avenue] would consist of the demolition of an existing 40‐foot‐high building and the construction of a new 99‐foot‐high, ten‐story building with one basement level, containing a total of approximately 109,375 gross square feet (gsf) comprising a kitchen/dining hall, philanthropic/social services, and 90 affordable senior housing units. No off‐street parking would be provided with the project.

http://www.socketsite.com/121%20Golden%20Gate%20Ave%20Jones%20Street%20Elevation.jpghttp://www.socketsite.com/121%20Golden%20Gate%20Ave%20GGA%20Elevation.jpg



What's there now:

http://www.socketsite.com/121%20Golden%20Gate%20Ave%20Existing.jpg

Source all quotes and images: http://www.socketsite.com/archives/2010/04/121_golden_gate_avenue_the_designs_for_rebuilding_senio.html

[BTinSF]

Rendering for the renovation/reuse of the Alexandria Theater:

http://cstatic.net/cache/gallery/4044/4523442865_9ba7465bc8_o.jpghttp://cstatic.net/cache/gallery/2692/4523442777_8d17b794ab_o.pnghttp://cstatic.net/cache/gallery/4045/4523442849_6d9dd1e44e_o.png
Source of images: http://sf.curbed.com/archives/2010/04/15/the_alexandria_theater_should_begin_its_return_to_life_in_2011.php

The four stories of housing shown will be new construction built in the existing theater's parking lot.

[viewguysf]

I just saw an update on SocketSite that the developer is paying out of pocket for excavation at 1844, so apparently no new construction loans have been secured and this may be a relatively short-lived revival in activity.

It does indeed look like 1844 Market Street has been stalled for some time, despite the crane having been erected. Everything has just been sitting there.

[Gordo]

Rendering for the renovation/reuse of the Alexandria Theater:

The four stories of housing shown will be new construction built in the existing theater's parking lot.

Some more details and pictures are available at the RichmondSF blog:

http://richmondsfblog.com/2010/04/14/first-look-at-the-alexandria-theater-project-plans/

I know the area quite well, as one of my wife's best friends lives near the corner of 19th and Geary (a block away). Looks like a decent plan, though I've never really thought that the Alexandria's architecture was anything all that worthy of saving. Of the old theaters in town, it always struck me as one of the most bland. Sounds like the Hello Kitty store is safe (whew! ;))

[peanut gallery]

SocketSite posted new renderings for the Fairmont Hotel's new tower and podium (http://www.socketsite.com/archives/2010/04/fairmont_hotel_revitalization_and_tower_rebuilding_as_p.html):

http://www.socketsite.com/Fairmont%20Hotel%20Proposed%20Project.jpg

http://www.socketsite.com/Fairmont%20Hotel%20Proposed%20Tower.jpg

As is proposed for the “Fairmont Hotel Revitalization” and Residential Tower Project:

The proposed project includes two main components: (1) renovation of portions of the historic 1906 Fairmont Hotel, a Landmark structure (City Landmark Number 185), which is also listed on the California and National Registers of Historic Places; and (2) the construction of a new residential tower, a new mid-rise residential component and a replacement podium structure on the site of the existing 317-foot-tall, 23-story non-historic hotel tower above a five-story podium with parking and hotel support uses, that was built in 1961.

The project includes the demolition of the existing hotel tower and podium and additional excavation for and expansion of below-grade parking uses. While interior changes to portions of the historic 1906 Fairmont Hotel are proposed, the exterior facades would remain largely unchanged.

I was wondering what was up with that proposal. Seems to still be alive.

[peanut gallery]

Just saw that BT started a thread (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?p=4818382) for this in the proposals section.

[BTinSF]

:previous: In as much as it involves building a new 373' tower, I gave it a thread this morning.

[peanut gallery]

Yep, good call.

[BTinSF]

Since no one else has bothered to post this and I think it's an interested project and a plus for the city (and the performing arts center area):

Hayes Valley's $60M Jazz Center Should Arrive in 2012
Thursday, May 6, 2010, by Andy J. Wang

http://cdn.cstatic.net/cache/gallery/4031/4584060329_e2f3b73a46_o.jpghttp://cdn.cstatic.net/cache/gallery/4019/4584501738_ca46217093_o.pnghttp://cdn.cstatic.net/cache/gallery/4022/4584501380_e78bfc7007_o.pnghttp://cdn.cstatic.net/cache/gallery/4054/4584060281_0eb9f35009_o.jpg

As alluded to earlier this year, the 28-year-old "nomadic" SFJAZZ has just released its plans for their SFJAZZ Center, a three-story, 35,000-square-foot performance hall, office, and cafe space in Hayes Valley. This is kind of a big deal: what the SF Business Times says is "meant to serve as a West Coast answer to New York’s Lincoln Center." Designed by Mark Cavagnero, the auditorium would be 9,500 square feet and have configurable seating, allowing between 350 to 720 people. It's also envisioned as kind of a hangout spot for musicians and music lovers — there are practice rooms for the former and the cafe and restaurant will give patrons reasons to stick around longer. And, says Cavagnero, the building's glassy exterior should fully display the "energy and excitement of what's going on inside" . . . .
Source: http://sf.curbed.com/archives/2010/05/06/hayes_valleys_60_million_sfjazz_center_should_arrive_in_2012.php

It is hoped the thing can be up and open in 2012.

[BTinSF]

Also, nobody posted this but it could be the biggest single addition of housing the city will see:

Parkmerced Tells Tomorrow's Story, Gears Up For Supersizing
Thursday, May 6, 2010, by Andy J. Wang

http://sf.curbed.com/uploads/2010_05_parkmerced.jpg

Parkmerced's informational presentation to the Planning Commission today will just be a preview of the main event this summer, but what opposition there is remains somewhat muted, given that it'll take the suburb-style community from around 3,200 units now to almost 9,000 over the course of 20 years. The reason for that, according to district supe Sean Elsbernd: owners Stellar Management "have done their homework." By that, he could be referring to one big lesson learned from another megadevelopment: current tenants of the two-story townhouses will be housed during their demolition, and not only will their new homes within the community rent for the same amount, rent control will carry over as well. It's just like the apparently precedent-setting deal turning Trinity Plaza into the multi-building Trinity Place. The long-range Parkmerced plans calls for killing all the townhouses, and putting in about 7,200 new homes for sale and rent, building an elementary school, and rerouting the M-line through the development.
Source: http://sf.curbed.com/archives/2010/05/06/parkmerced_tells_tomorrows_story_gears_up_for_supersizing.php

[Jerry of San Fran]

Yes, it will be a nice addition to the Civic Center Arts. A nice clean architecture to take the place of the car garage. But I wonder where these people will park as there will be competition with the opera, ballet and symphony patrons, not the mention the Herbst Theater and Conservatory of Music. With Muni cutting back service tomorrow it will be interesting to see how we can get around San Francisco. I'm not a jazz fan but the venue is a welcome addition to my neighborhooe.

[BTinSF]

4 finalists bring contrasts to SFMOMA expansion
John King, Chronicle Urban Design Writer
Tuesday, May 11, 2010

http://imgs.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2010/05/10/ba-sfmoma0511_gr_SFCG1273531857.jpghttp://imgs.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2010/05/10/mn-sfmoma11_PH5__0501649741.jpg

(05-10) 22:13 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- The San Francisco Museum of Modern
Art has narrowed the list of architects for its $250 million expansion to four firms that vary wildly in size and style - but which almost certainly guarantee the new wing will be a distinct contrast with the institution's iconic home.

The finalists include one of the world's best-known firms, Foster + Partners, which has two buildings at Stanford University and is finishing an extension to Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and cult favorite David Adjaye Associates, whose only completed building in the United States is a small museum in Denver.

The other finalists are Snøhetta, a Norwegian firm that designed the National Sept. 11 Memorial now being built in Lower Manhattan, and Diller Scofidio + Renfro, which was part of the design team behind the transformation of an old elevated train route into New York's wildly popular High Line park . . . .

Norman Foster and his London-based firm are known for a flowing high-tech style that makes technological innovations part of the visual show. The best example in the United States might be the glassy roof that drapes the courtyard of the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.

Foster's "Great Court at the British Museum" in London
http://imgs.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2010/05/10/mn-sfmoma11_PH1__0501650713.jpg

David Adjaye, by contrast, is almost defiant in crafting subdued buildings that stress the arrangement of spaces and, as seen at his Museum of Contemporary Art in Denver, an exquisite use of everyday materials. The London architect also is designing an African American museum for the Smithsonian.

Adjaye's "Museum of Contemporary Art" in Denver
http://imgs.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2010/05/10/mn-Ssfmoma11_PH2_0501650711.jpg

Snøhetta's work, though largely confined to Norway, has won attention for simultaneously emphasizing craftsmanship and an almost rhythmic use of architectural forms. The firm's most recent major work is the glacier-like Norwegian National Opera and Ballet in Oslo.

Snohetta's "Lillehammer Art Museum"
http://imgs.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2010/05/10/mn-sfmoma11_PH3__0501650498.jpg

Diller Scofidio + Renfro has the least amount of built work of the four finalists. But it has all been high-profile, from the Institute of Contemporary Art on the Boston waterfront to an ongoing revitalization of Lincoln Center in New York. The firm is one of three finalists to design a new home for the Berkeley Art Museum.

Scofidio + Renfro's "Institute of Contemporary Art" in Boston
http://imgs.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2010/05/10/mn-sfmoma11_PH4__0501650558.jpg

In an era when other cultural projects have been derailed by political fights or scarce financing, SFMOMA's plans have moved forward with almost startling ease. Trustees and other supporters have pledged $250 million for the expansion, and there is no sign of organized opposition . . . .


Source: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/05/11/MN1M1DC9PD.DTL

[BTinSF]

. . . imagine an alternate universe, where an open competition would invite a broad range of concepts from established firms and fresh talent alike. This parallel world could be experienced a couple of weeks ago, during a final review for an architecture class at CCA. Craig Scott of IwamotoScott assigned his students the challenge of designing the new building. For inspiration, they started with two artworks from artists featured in the Fisher collection (e.g., Richard Diebenkorn, Gerhard Richter), and took it from there. The results, presented to a panel that included Joseph Becker, assistant curator of architecture and design at SFMOMA, were quite diverse and offered real insight into the puzzle.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4589938769_27fbec756d.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4589942013_e49203f98c.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3311/4590563738_fc9b60f8ef.jpg

Source: http://blog.archpaper.com/wordpress/archives/7555

I just hope the famous pros do as well.

[BTinSF]

If there is anybody else still reading this thread, here's a picture I took of the work on the new SFPUC eco-palace at Golden Gate & Polk.

http://sf.curbed.com/uploads/2009_01_sfpuc.jpg
Source: http://sf.curbed.com/archives/2009/01/23/back_from_the_grave_sf_puc_ecopalace.php

I frankly can't figure it out. It doesn't look like they are going to do reinforced concrete but I don't see anchorages for a structural steel framework either. I'd love some guidance from anybody who knows construction better than I do:

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x128/BSTJr/IMG_0302-1.jpg?t=1273633692

The foundation is now pretty much all concrete lined with the other "stuff" you can see.

[Jerry of San Fran]

BT - Thanks for the great pictures. I had not walked by the SFPUC Bldg. dig for awhile and was not aware the concrete was poured. If I remember I'll ask my neighbor about the base - he has been involved in construction for a long time. It's really happening! Seemed like they were digging forever.

The first structure pictured by the class of CCA for the SFMOMA site reminds me of a slot canyon in the border area of Utah/Arizona. Quite marvelous!

[northbay]

yea, thanx bt for the pix. im still reading, but dont have much time to post anything substantive.

those sfmoma pix are architecture porn.

keep it comin!

[viewguysf]

I'm still here too BT!

> I really long to see something very dramatic for the SFMOMA addition--nice dream pics above.

> I walked to Opera Plaza last night after Dudamel's fabulous LA Philharmonic concert and thought of you. Just to have that hideous blank pink wall gone was a great improvement, but to actually see a notable green building there will be wonderful.

[BTinSF]

Just to have that hideous blank pink wall gone was a great improvement, but to actually see a notable green building there will be wonderful.

I just hope it doesn't have another "hideous blank . . . wall" of any color on the west side. It will still face the middle of the block with the potential for a building of equal height next to it (unless the city took some action such as acquiring air rights to forestall that). None of the renderings show that side of the building which is slightly ominous. But almost anything has to be better than what was.

[viewguysf]

I just hope it doesn't have another "hideous blank . . . wall" of any color on the west side. It will still face the middle of the block with the potential for a building of equal height next to it (unless the city took some action such as acquiring air rights to forestall that). None of the renderings show that side of the building which is slightly ominous. But almost anything has to be better than what was.

Good point!

[gocitygo]

Maybe they will install a living green wall... or we may end up with a wall similar to One Hawthorne.

[BTinSF]

Regarding the new SFJAZZ building (renderings above):

. . . SFJAZZ has now raised $31 million for its new building, a sum that includes a $20 million anonymous donation and $10 million raised from board members. The $60 million will cover a $10 million endowment, land costs for the property, soft costs like engineering and architectural services, as well as hard construction costs, which will likely come in less than $35 million.

The three-story building, designed by Mark Cavagnero, will consist of exposed concrete with ample clear and frosted glass throughout. As a material, concrete “is terrific for performing arts spaces,” said Cavagnero. Concrete is not only durable and sturdy, it blocks the rattle and whiz of passing trucks while preventing the music from bothering neighbors. The sheer mass of the building absorbs the sort of low-end vibrations that steel cannot, he added.

“The client wanted a very straightforward, very rational building, the most use for their money, the most use for the site,” said Cavagnero. “They also to be expressive of jazz as a straight ahead music form that doesn’t have a lot of pretense, doesn’t have a lot layered or covered up.”

The main performance space itself will feature a mix of exposed concrete and wood.

“Where we can, we are leaving the concrete exposed on the inside for its character and its wonderful quality of being reflective,” said Cavagnero. “And where we need absorption we have a whole series of acoustic materials clad in some kind of a warm wood louver system of one sort or another that will protect them and give a nice warm counterpoint to the concrete visually.”

SFJAZZ is hoping to raise another $18 million before construction starts in summer of 2011 . . . .


Source: http://sanfrancisco.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2010/05/17/story10.html

[BTinSF]

We all frequently complain about how San Francisco's bureaucracy dumbs down architectural creativity into mediocrity. Well chalk one up for the good guys:

Hayes Valley Mixed Use Market at 555 Fulton Goes Back In Time

http://cdn.cstatic.net/cache/gallery/4018/4607329470_ced6289199_o.pnghttp://cdn.cstatic.net/cache/gallery/4012/4607329340_cca80819eb_o.jpghttp://cdn.cstatic.net/cache/gallery/4053/4607329278_0ef2cec7df_o.jpghttp://cdn.cstatic.net/cache/gallery/1406/4607329252_cb2ffc0c17_o.jpghttp://cdn.cstatic.net/cache/gallery/4054/4607329430_f15feb8e81_o.jpghttp://cdn.cstatic.net/cache/gallery/4032/4606715621_405bdd332b_o.jpg


Last night, after a strong neighborhood showing and a Stanley Saitowitz monologue on successful architectural design, the Planning Commission approved Hayes Valley's 555 Fulton with its original, glassy look. The five-story supermarket and 136-unit residential project started its life with a comparatively more uniform design — before changes requested by the city turned it into a thing with alternating terra cotta paneling. But as we reported back in March, the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association had already been through the public process with Saitowitz, and was not at all into the new look. In a rare display of community muscle, a bunch of residents showed up insisting on the old design and citing a John King column earlier this week that argues "nobody is fooled" by the "stage-set urbanity" on which the city planning staff's proposal is supposedly premised. One guy compared the city's "meddling" to a "nurse telling a brain surgeon how to do their work." Mmm hmm. He went there . . . .


Source: http://sf.curbed.com/archives/2010/05/14/hayes_valley_mixeduse_market_at_555_fulton_goes_back_in_time.php?o=1

[WildCowboy]

I sure hope this one comes off better than his UCSF parking garage that looks to be an almost identical facade design. That one looked very disappointingly unlike the renderings and of course has suffered from technical issues that have seen the glass panels removed for what, two years now?

[dr_strangelove]

Is that Saitowicz project affordable housing? I ride my bike in that neighborhood all time and it is very blighted, so I would be surprised if this wasn't meant to be some sort of housing project with a pretty face.

Just thinking about the revised design with its "terra cotta panels" covering the glass makes me shiver, good to know there are more of "us" out there.

update: I just found this out:
(There would be 32 studio + 48 one-bedroom + 45 two-bedroom = 136 total units, with 16 units [12%] affordable.)

Wow I can't believe something like this got through planning in this area, isn't this considered *gasp* *dunn dunn dunnnnnnnnn* Gentrification?????

[Gordo]

^Not sure what you mean - Hayes Valley hasn't exactly been lacking in new market-rate housing being built over the last decade.

Like the project, but I've never been a huge fan of Saitowitz. Still, I'm all for different types of buildings being built, even if I don't like every one :)

[BTinSF]

Fulton is not the best street in Hayes Valley, certainly, but the entire area is far from what I would call "blighted". The "heritage" housing stock there is excellent and the neighborhood is "hot". The downside is the proximity to various mid-century public housing projects and the criminal activity by their residents, but that really isn't a major problem for surrounding areas.

As many of you know, I live close by and the window of the room I'm typing from overlooks most of the neighborhood. When people say things like Hayes Valley being "blighted", as they often do on places like Socketsite, it makes me wonder where they live because there really aren't many SF neighborhoods hugely better--certainly not with better transportation options or housing stock or more centrally located. There just aren't many areas in SF that are clearly more attractive if you add everything up.

Anyway, this is market rate housing with the usual required "affordable" component and, if it is like the other buildings recently built in the area, it will be snapped up quickly.

[dr_strangelove]

Fulton is not the best street in Hayes Valley, certainly, but the entire area is far from what I would call "blighted".


This specific area of "hayes valley" (it's more western addition than hayes valley) is pretty blighted, but not as bad as most other projects in the city. There is a large housing project directly across the street on Fulton. There is a large housing project across the street on Fulton and Laguna, in both directions. It starts improving at Grove, but Fulton is not desirable at all, which makes this project a good step in the right direction, but is still very depressing riding my bike or driving through with all of the metal gates and bars on windows with those horrid redevelopment buildings.

[BTinSF]

This specific area of "hayes valley" (it's more western addition than hayes valley) is pretty blighted, but not as bad as most other projects in the city. There is a large housing project directly across the street on Fulton. There is a large housing project across the street on Fulton and Laguna, in both directions. It starts improving at Grove, but Fulton is not desirable at all, which makes this project a good step in the right direction, but is still very depressing riding my bike or driving through with all of the metal gates and bars on windows with those horrid redevelopment buildings.

The Western Addition Redevelopment Area border is the other side of Fulton:

http://foundsf.org/images/6/6a/A-1-and-a-2-map.jpg
Source: http://foundsf.org/index.php?title=Fillmore_Redevelopment

But not everything in the redevelopment area by far is public housing. I haven't ridden down Fulton in a long while--much more commonly I use Turk and Golden Gate--but a lot of the fairly unattractive low-rise housing in the area was actually privately developed I've read. Anyway, I wouldn't favor a vacant "no man's land" around the redevelopment zone even if that were possible in San Francisco so something needs to be built across Fulton and this looks good to me. Furthermore, like I said, I think it will sell quickly just as other nearby projects have.

[BTinSF]

900 Folsom/260 Fifth Street: Approval This Week?

http://www.socketsite.com/900%20Folsom%20Rendering%201-10.jpg

Avant Housing’s proposed 900 Folsom/260 Fifth Street project is back in front of San Francisco’s Planning Commission this Thursday for certification and with a preliminary recommendation to approve (with conditions).

http://www.socketsite.com/900%20Folsom%20Site.jpg

Once again, 448 new residential units (68 BMR), 9,500 square feet of commercial space, and 323 parking spaces as proposed . . . .
Source: http://www.socketsite.com/archives/2010/05/900_folsom260_fifth_street_approval_this_week.html

Additional renderings:

http://www.socketsite.com/260%205th%20Street%20Corner.jpghttp://www.socketsite.com/900%20Folsom%20Rendering%20-%20Alley.jpg
Source: http://www.socketsite.com/archives/2010/01/900_folsom260_fifth_design_evolves_and_emerges.html

[dr_strangelove]

Based on your map 555 Fulton is on the edge of the western addition redevelopment area, so it still is pretty much in the western addition because it sits on Fulton street. So we can say the Fulton facade is western addition and the Birch Alley facade is hayes valley.

[BTinSF]

At last some decent renderings of what's to replace Cala Foods at California & Hyde:

The old (and existing)
http://cdn.cstatic.net/cache/gallery/3036/4622648208_b68628b576_o.png

The new
http://cdn.cstatic.net/cache/gallery/1147/4622611746_abe46698f4_o.pnghttp://cdn.cstatic.net/cache/gallery/4040/4622611616_c2e2da5a8d_o.pnghttp://cdn.cstatic.net/cache/gallery/4002/4622004771_29df8a1727_o.pnghttp://cdn.cstatic.net/cache/gallery/4015/4622611544_d7777d9a83_o.png
Source all images: http://sf.curbed.com/archives/2010/05/19/a_view_of_nob_hill_at_california_and_hyde_postcala_foods_era.php?o=4

Construction hoped for next year.

[northbay]

thanks for the info/pix bt. sure sf doesnt have any major skyscrapers being built now, but theres a sh-tload of smaller infill still being built. i almost like that better anyway.

btw bt, i cant imagine why some would tell u that (from ur sig), i always thought u were one of the more intelligent contributors. if someone pisses u off so much on this forum that u want them to die, then u shouldnt be here!

[pseudolus]

At last some decent renderings of what's to replace Cala Foods at California & Hyde:

The old (and existing)
http://cdn.cstatic.net/cache/gallery/3036/4622648208_b68628b576_o.png

The new
http://cdn.cstatic.net/cache/gallery/1147/4622611746_abe46698f4_o.pnghttp://cdn.cstatic.net/cache/gallery/4040/4622611616_c2e2da5a8d_o.pnghttp://cdn.cstatic.net/cache/gallery/4002/4622004771_29df8a1727_o.pnghttp://cdn.cstatic.net/cache/gallery/4015/4622611544_d7777d9a83_o.png
Source all images: http://sf.curbed.com/archives/2010/05/19/a_view_of_nob_hill_at_california_and_hyde_postcala_foods_era.php?o=4

Construction hoped for next year.

Hey, one of those renders doesn't have a cable car. What gives?

[BTinSF]

:previous: Artistic license I'm sure.

[Jerry of San Fran]

BT - thanks for the pics. I was quite startled at the rendering of the future of the Cala/Calf. corner. My first apartment in 1969 was in the neigborhood and I shopped there - abalone was $.35 a pound!

What a change coming for that site! It will be hard to get that ugly Cala building erased from my mind. :>}

[mahanakorn]

btw bt, i cant imagine why some would tell u that (from ur sig), i always thought u were one of the more intelligent contributors. if someone pisses u off so much on this forum that u want them to die, then u shouldnt be here!

Please, no! I too very much look forward to your posts! Keep 'em coming.

[viewguysf]

Please, no! I too very much look forward to your posts! Keep 'em coming.

Geez BT, you are internationally renowned!

[peanut gallery]

We heard about this before. But now that the actual legislation is signed, something might actually happen soon. I found the quote about the potential $19M in savings from the consultant interesting. Is it enough to start construction right away? And how about Newsom signing it on the rooftop of ORH? Don't want to read too much into it, but we all now this is one of the main projects he had in mind when pushing for this.


Second Rincon Tower poised to finally be built
By: Erin Sherbert
Examiner Staff Writer
May 26, 2010

Construction of the long-delayed second Rincon Tower at Harrison and Fremont streets — part of a skyline-changing, upscale neighborhood near the proposed Transbay Transit Center — can start, after new legislation was signed Tuesday by Mayor Gavin Newsom.

....

The combined effect of the new legislation and a separate law on transfer fees could “bring $19 million in savings to Phase 2,” said Marc Babsin, who’s working as a consultant on the Rincon Tower project. “It will lower costs and make construction start that much earlier.”

Newsom said there are at least nine projects in San Francisco — including the second Rincon Tower — that are ready for construction, but they’re delayed by financial constraints due to the recession.

The deferral means more to San Francisco than just assisting developers. The legislation will employ 4,800 construction workers and generate $22 million in general-fund tax revenue, Newsom said after signing the legislation on top of the Rincon Tower.

Read the complete article at the San Francisco Examiner (http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/Second-Rincon-Tower-poised-to-finally-be-built-94898619.html).

Here's a rendering to remind us what's (hopefully) in store:
http://sf.curbed.com/uploads/2010_05_rincontwo.jpg
Source (http://sf.curbed.com/archives/2010/05/26/one_rincon_hills_little_brother_could_actually_be_built_soon.php#comment-588612).

[BTinSF]

:previous: I was going to look for the ORH thread to post this. Has it vaporized?

PS: I AM internationally renowned. There's a conductor with the same name as me--a friend brought me a concert poster from one of his performances in Paris. ;)

[peanut gallery]

I found it in the completed buildings section. You can't post in it anymore though. I guess we'll need a new thread for tower 2 when the time comes.

[viewguysf]

I found it in the completed buildings section. You can't post in it anymore though. I guess we'll need a new thread for tower 2 when the time comes.

Oh let it be soon!!!

[peanut gallery]

Someone thinks it will be. On the KTVU news, they just presented the story like an announcement that construction is about to start.

But then, we're talking about accuracy in the news media here. For example, this doesn't look like the top of ORH to me, as reported in the Examiner:
http://www5.sfgov.org/.a/6a01156ebcb4c7970c013481b8e2e4970c-800wi
Source: City and County of San Francisco website (http://www5.sfgov.org/sf_news/2010/05/mayornewsom-signs-jobcreating-economic-stimulus-legislation.html). ;)

[Reminiscence]

This is fantastic news that just made my day. I sure hope to start seeing activity soon. That towers' been lonely for too long. I can see it while watching the ballgames at AT&T as it is the only thing that really sticks out.

Hopefully by then we can actually start scoring more runs to win games :(

[HarshLiving]

This is fantastic news that just made my day. I sure hope to start seeing activity soon. That towers' been lonely for too long. I can see it while watching the ballgames at AT&T as it is the only thing that really sticks out.

Hopefully by then we can actually start scoring more runs to win games :(

Unfortunately, the tower doesn't bring a bat with it :( But I'm happy to see this thing moving along. Really just came out of left field.

[BTinSF]

:previous: Let's not get too excited. I wouldn't expect any construction at this site for at least a year. Even if they decide to move forward in the next few months, they will have to hire a contractor, order materials and so on.

[peanut gallery]

CurbedSF has new renderings of the Whole Foods/condos at Market and Dolores:
http://cdn.cstatic.net/cache/gallery/4040/4645850212_f1a9950931_o.png

http://cdn.cstatic.net/cache/gallery/4030/4645850142_b5de5652ba_o.png

http://cdn.cstatic.net/cache/gallery/4041/4645850052_9f3608b04b_o.png

Source for all of the above: CurbedSF (http://sf.curbed.com/archives/2010/05/27/market_dolores_whole_foods_condos_now_with_extra_shiny.php).

[fflint]

The Whole Foods project is going to change my neighborhood, and make my daily bike commute through that intersection more hectic (motorists love to double and triple park near stores), but damn--it sure looks good, huh?

[peanut gallery]

Definitely! I love the way they've broken it down into different sections to keep the scale in check: big and bold on Market stepping down to smaller and more austere on 14th.

[BTinSF]

Friday, May 28, 2010
Third St. on track
Light rail produces burst of new housing
San Francisco Business Times - by J.K. Dineen

Hundreds of new housing units are springing up at Third and Carroll streets in San Francisco’s Bayview District, evidence that the T-Third light rail is finally pumping new investment to the long-isolated neighborhood.

Construction will wrap up in June on the first two buildings of Holliday Development’s 5800 Third St., a $75 million 140-unit condo development that includes a 15,000-square-foot Fresh & Easy grocery store. Down the block at 5600 Third St., Bridge Housing is finishing up the 124-unit Armstrong Place townhomes, below market rate for-sale units, as well as an affordable 116-unit senior apartment complex. Those projects should also finish in June. Together those projects represent a $101.2 million investment, according to Bridge Housing.

Meanwhile, Holliday has reached a deal with the nonprofit Delancey Street Foundation to open a Crossroads Cafe in another retail space at 5800 Third St., similar to the restaurant the group runs in the South Beach neighborhood. Delancey Street owns a 300,000-square-foot training facility and warehouse that sits between the Bridge Housing project at the Holliday complex.

“You’re looking at 1,000 people moving into this block in the next year. And a grocery store. And a Crossroads Cafe. This place will be radically different than it is today,” said Rick Holliday, president of Holliday Development . . . .

The 5800 Third St. project is the first two buildings of a 340-unit, four-building redevelopment of a former Coca-Cola bottling plant site. Holliday said they are close to selling part of the property to the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency for $7.5 million. The agency is working with nonprofits to develop a senior center and 121 units of affordable senior housing . . . .

For now it seems the next wave of housing along Third Street will take a while . . . .


Source: http://sanfrancisco.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2010/05/31/story3.html

[1977]

I love that new "Whole Foods Condo" design. These 6-8 story buildings along Market/Octavia are really exciting...almost more so than some of the highrise developments. I would love to see some dirt moving on a few of these (WF condo, the Arquitectonica building at the old 76 station, Saitowitz's building at the mouth of Octavia, etc.) in the next year or so. Fingers crossed.

[1977]

More renderings:

http://www.socketsite.com/2001%20Market%20Street%20Rendering%20Reality1.jpg

http://www.socketsite.com/2001%20Market%20Street%20Rendering%20Reality2.jpg

Source:http://www.socketsite.com/archives/2010/05/2001_market_comes_closer_to_reality_at_least_in_terms_o.html#comments

[dr_strangelove]

It looks like a mini adorable Arterra. :tup:

[timbad]

PS: I AM internationally renowned. There's a conductor with the same name as me--a friend brought me a concert poster from one of his performances in Paris. ;)

ah, that's why you are BTinSF on this forum, so we won't get you confused! ;)

[BTinSF]

Here's why I don't think we are going to see any major new office construction in San Francisco for a very long time (most especially including the TransBay Tower):

A downtown San Francisco office building that sold for $400 a square foot in 2006 has traded for just $172 a square foot, a 57 percent decline that industry experts see as an important milestone in establishing new, recession-era values for financial district property.

http://assets.bizjournals.com/story_image/253166-0-0-1.jpg

A private equity fund controlled by an unidentified “domestic billionaire” has paid $19.9 million for 250 Montgomery St., a 116,000-square-foot building on the corner of Pine Street that Lincoln Property Co. bought for $46 million in 2006. Technically, the buyer bought the note on the building, rather than the property itself. Under the sales agreement the lender on the property, Finance Realty Corp., will deed 250 Montgomery St. to the buyer in lieu of foreclosure. Lincoln Property was in default on the property.

The sale, at a price that represents about 25 percent of replacement cost, represents the first San Francisco office building sale in a year. It is also the first “round trip” transaction where a property went from being sold at the peak of the market to deed in lieu of foreclosure to a new owner. Colliers International Executive Vice President Tony Crossley said the price “gives the market a data point it has been lacking.”

“This gives a benchmark that other owners and lenders can point to as saying this is what real estate is now worth in San Francisco . . . .
Source: http://sanfrancisco.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2009/07/06/story1.html?t=printable

If you can buy office buildings for 1/4 what it costs to build them, why would anybody build?

[colemonkee]

^ I think the most important part of that article is "deed in lieu of foreclosure to a new owner." This was essentially a commercial short sale, which is an indication of the valley in terms of commercial prices. Short sales are purposefully undervalued force a sale. It's an indication of the specific condition of the previous owner's financials, not necessarily an indication of overall market values, which should go up once the over-leveraged owners are flushed out of the market.

However, that process may take some time, especially if a lot of buildings changed hands at the commercial peak.

[migol24]

hey folks. i'm a new california resident and i've just moved from austin, texas. right now i'm in modesto but i'm trying to move to san francisco. unfortunately it's a little troublesome commuting to san francisco back and forth to modesto just to find a job. so i probably need to stay there for about a week or so.... sooooo i'm wondering if there are any hostels in san francisco that can help me out for a few days till i find a job.

sorry i don't know where else to ask about this.

[mahanakorn]

[QUOTE= sooooo i'm wondering if there are any hostels in san francisco that can help me out for a few days till i find a job.

[/QUOTE]

Wish you all the best. Some of these places are really spectacular!
http://www.norcalhostels.org/

[migol24]

Wish you all the best. Some of these places are really spectacular!
http://www.norcalhostels.org/much appreciated! i'm looking forward to it.

[dr_strangelove]

much appreciated! i'm looking forward to it.

Welcome to SF- We need more people who move here and then look for a job (those that want to be here) instead of those who move here because of their job

[BTinSF]

hey folks. i'm a new california resident and i've just moved from austin, texas. right now i'm in modesto but i'm trying to move to san francisco. unfortunately it's a little troublesome commuting to san francisco back and forth to modesto just to find a job. so i probably need to stay there for about a week or so.... sooooo i'm wondering if there are any hostels in san francisco that can help me out for a few days till i find a job.

sorry i don't know where else to ask about this.

Have you considered AMTRAK's San Joaquin? Six trains a day each way--takes about 2.5 hours each way from Modesto to downtown SF (you get off in Emeryville, then ride an AMTRAK bus to several downtown locations): http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer/AM_Route_C/1241245650084/1237405732511

[migol24]

Welcome to SF- We need more people who move here and then look for a job (those that want to be here) instead of those who move here because of their jobhey thanks! i see what you're saying but man... it would be so easier if i moved here with a job already waiting for me :D can't wait to see what this city has to offer for me

[migol24]

Have you considered AMTRAK's San Joaquin? Six trains a day each way--takes about 2.5 hours each way from Modesto to downtown SF (you get off in Emeryville, then ride an AMTRAK bus to several downtown locations): http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer/AM_Route_C/1241245650084/1237405732511i actually came that way!! :)

[BTinSF]

Design Scoop: One (1) Franklin Closer To Reality

A plugged-in tipster delivers Forum Design’s rendering for 1 Franklin at the corner of Page.

http://www.socketsite.com/1%20Franklin%20Rendering.jpg

Once again, an eight-story mixed-use development of 35 residential units over 2,378 square feet of ground floor retail and 18 parking spaces as proposed.

And as the corner currently appears:

http://www.socketsite.com/1%20Franklin%20Site.jpg


Source: http://www.socketsite.com/archives/2010/06/one_1_franklin_rendered_as_proposed.html

BIG plus for that corner IMHO.

[Gordo]

Huge plus for the corner. It will be nice to see that parking lot finally disappear.

[peanut gallery]

Imagine this intersection with this and 1600 Market. It would be a huge transformation.

[Jerry of San Fran]

A nice looking building - 3 blocks from me. It the development happens in the next 2 years it could mean more services in the neighborhood.

[BTinSF]

I know this isn't actually about development, but it is about the health of downtown San Francisco since the empty space has been a serious blight on the Union Square area for a while now:

Los Angeles-based teen retailer Forever 21 is taking over all of the former Virgin megastore off Union Square, one of the shopping district’s largest and most prominent retail spaces.

It has also been one of the emptiest since British record retailer Virgin pulled up stakes in April 2009 . . . .

The former music store is not the only vacant Union Square retail space to win some love: 101 Powell St. also has signed a new tenant, and at least four other leases have been signed since the start of the year as Union Square emerges from recessionary doldrums . . . .

Source: http://sanfrancisco.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2010/06/21/story1.html

Apparently they are keeping the 1 Powell store as well.

[Gordo]

That's a lot of cheap spaghetti-string tank tops in a small area.

The 1 Powell store has got to be 20,000 square feet or so too, right? Damn.

[fflint]

Never set foot in a Forever 21 store, but I'll take another one of those over empty space any day.

[Jerry of San Fran]

BT - so glad to hear the good news. The corner of Stockton & Market is a gateway to the Union Square area and has been a blight for much too long. Forever 21 is not a store I will ever step into, but glad to have an anchor on that corner.

[1977]

Glad to see that giant vacancy filled but what happened to UNIQLO? I thought I read that they were taking that space. It was probably just internet rumors and speculation. Oh well, hopefully, that means they'll grab another one of the many vacancies along Market...especially somewhere west of Fifth.

[dr_strangelove]

That's a lot of cheap spaghetti-string tank tops in a small area.

The 1 Powell store has got to be 20,000 square feet or so too, right? Damn.

Seriously. I hate what is happening to America/ California/ San Francisco. A bunch of empty headed uneducated bimbo Bratz dolls getting obnoxiously drunk and terrorizing neighborhoods with their stupidity. This and the former Stock Exchange turned fitness center are perfect metaphors for the decline of civilization.

It is "Idiocracy" in warp speed.

[CityKid]

The new Institute on Aging Building is coming along in the Inner Richmond at Arguello and Geary. Coming down the hill from Masonic, it looks like a monster, perhaps a sign of things to come in the neighborhood? Anyway, we'll have a better idea of how this is going to turn out once they take the cover off, but for now, we can get an idea.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4073/4776221491_4af7f75947_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/4776220053_7a06e27462_b.jpg

You can get a better idea of how the front of the building will probably look from peaking at the sides:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4776856928_cc7841c266_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4776850886_12ab159d8c_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4776852380_cdd773f63a_b.jpg

[botoxic]

S.F. planners OK CityPlace mall for Mid-Market

San Francisco's rundown Mid-Market area will get a long-promised boost with Thursday's approval of the huge CityPlace retail center, which supporters say could transform one of the downtown's dodgiest areas.

In a 5-2 Planning Commission vote to approve the project, concerns about parking at the center were outweighed by the prospect of renovating a long-neglected section of Market Street between Fifth and Sixth streets.

"While it's more parking than we like, it's not a lot of parking for this type of development," said Commissioner Gwyneth Borden.

http://imgs.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2009/12/06/mn-cityplace3_0500921889.jpg

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/07/09/BAK91EBK76.DTL#ixzz0tCou7Jvs

[botoxic]

Goodbye Christmas tree lot?
(I actually don't think trees have been sold there the last few years)

A matter of a few yards along Market Street has community groups around the Castro wrangling with city planners over what rules should govern development in their neighborhood.

The center of the dispute is a 16-unit condominium/commercial development due to be built on a long-vacant lot at 16th and Market streets. Neighborhood activists were set to go before the Planning Commission this afternoon to challenge that approval, arguing that the building should meet the stricter development rules in effect just steps away on the other side of 16th Street.

A compromise late Wednesday afternoon means the groups will be bringing an agreement, not a battle plan, to the commission, but that doesn't solve the larger problem of the very different building rules for very similar pieces of San Francisco real estate.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/07/08/BADE1EAP39.DTL#ixzz0tEsk15VC

http://sf.curbed.com/uploads/2010_01_holeinground.jpg
Image courtesy of CurbedSF (http://sf.curbed.com/archives/2010/01/14/fivestory_project_at_market_noe_and_16th_moving_forward_now.php)

[_J_]

Goodbye Christmas tree lot?
don't think trees have been sold there the last few years


No they have not...and it's *so* good to see something being erected in the castro! :jester:

[Jerry of San Fran]

Citykid - thanks for the nice pics. The back of the building overlooks the Columbarium (repository for cremated remains) which is well worth a visit for the beautiful architecture. It is my understading that a hedge will be planted to screen the Columbarium from the Institure on Aging - to not remind the old folks as to how close they are to the Columbarium?

[Jerry of San Fran]

J - thanks for the picture of the hole in the ground. That hole is like a stake in the heart of the neighborhood. I may yet live long enough to see it filled! Several years ago I bought my holiday tree there. At one time there was a proposal to put a Walgreens there but that was shot down.

[jamesinclair]

I know this isn't actually about development, but it is about the health of downtown San Francisco since the empty space has been a serious blight on the Union Square area for a while now:


Source: http://sanfrancisco.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2010/06/21/story1.html

Apparently they are keeping the 1 Powell store as well.

I have serious concerns about the future of this company.

After Mervyns and Gotschalks closed, they swooped in and bought like half o the locations. Theyre expanding way too fast in this economy, and I dont think they have the customer base to support it. What kind of store goes from a gap-type model (malls, smallish store fronts) and then expands into 3 story department store spaces????

[migol24]

hey folks... just moved here to the bay area. is it hard getting a job here?

[brantw]

hey folks... just moved here to the bay area. is it hard getting a job here?

It's really easy. Sometimes I get 2 job offers per week. Usually have to turn them down.

[migol24]

It's really easy. Sometimes I get 2 job offers per week. Usually have to turn them down.what types of jobs are these? i'm an undergraduate still going to school.

[Busy Bee]

This is sad guys. Stop being mean.

[viewguysf]

what types of jobs are these? i'm an undergraduate still going to school.

:offtopic: Try to get a job on campus as a student assistant if you can.

[migol24]

:offtopic: Try to get a job on campus as a student assistant if you can.sorry dude. i just wanted to get some information and there's no one else to ask. i'll stay off this page now thanks.