Curbed Guide: Central Freeway Developments
Friday, October 16, 2009, by Andy J. Wang
When part of the Central Freeway got messed up in the '89 earthquake and ultimately removed in 1992, Hayes Valley got a rare stab at redevelopment— an effort that's arguably one of San Francisco's most significant long-term projects of late, notable both for its scale and for being, well, north of Market Street. Empty lots where the freeway once snaked now carve out a visible scar in the landscape, especially viewable in aerial photos. Those lots have been designated by the city with the letters A through V, about half of which will end up going toward affordable housing. The cash flow for new construction, however, has since slowed to a trickle, putting large, dazzling projects on hold. Instead, empty lots are begetting humbler ideas that propose temporary solutions: a communal farm, a two-year pop-up retail project. 'Course, there's still lots more for Curbed to visit— tips, renderings, and updates to the inbox!
Parcel P: Central Mews
Developer Build Inc. planned up to 239 residences in their proposal, which broke the design up among various architects to avoid a "standardized solution." The unifying theme: a "central mews" that stretches between Laguna and Octavia, functioning as a "common green and a pedestrian spine." As long as the lot lies empty, however, an idea being tossed around is to turn the lot (along with the one north of it up to Fell) into a communal farm. Moo?
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Parcel I: 401 Grove
Designed by Solomon E.T.C.: two buildings totaling 70 dwelling units, most of which will be 2-bedroom units. An L-shaped hugs the corner of Gough and Grove, and a straight one along Ivy street to the south. The L-shaped one: five stories tall, with ground-floor retail and four stories of residential, with the straight one on Ivy standing at three stories, all homes.
 
Parcel V: Octavia Gateway
Architect Stanley Saitowitz's answer to the challenge of developing arguably the most important Central Freeway parcel to give way to new homes: several big spaces are "carved" out of the residential building, creating "rear yards" that are visible from every residence. There will be 49 apartments, of which there are two designs: L-shaped 2-bedrooms that hug a "yard void," and studio flats. And then there's that below-grade, apparently women-only spa. Words escape us.
   
Parcel G: Affordable Housing
A David Baker-designed, five-story building with 120 studios for low-income, formerly homeless people, plus "community serving" retail on the ground floor.
   
Parcels M + N: Cellular Units
Designed by Envelope A+D, it's comprised of several "basic cellular units," which can stay separate or aggregate to create larger units, either horizontally or vertically (up to four units!). And check those folding louvers outside for endless family fun! Just keep in mind that it'll be many a year before the money pipes start flowing again for construction; that's what the Proxy thing's all about in the first place.
   
Parcels K + L: Pop-Up Community
Temporary structures fronting the Hayes Green: the mixed-use project, which encompasses retail, food, galleries, and gardens, is collectively called "proxy," and is kind of a long-term pop-up retail idea— two to three years goes the thinking. In the meantime, the urban fabric is restored "through a combination of frame, fabric, mesh, wall and volume," all eco-friendly and local and sustainable no doubt. Note also the same firm (which participated in Slow Food Nation not so long ago) has a mixed-use live/work project also on Octavia, though its readiness is also no doubt subject to the big bad economy, just as the Hayes Green lots are. So when does "The Sound of Music" screen?
  
Parcel Q: Octavia Court
Under construction now, Octavia Court is will be 15 units of low-income rental housing for the developmentally disabled, on top of an arts program space.
 
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