SAN FRANCISCO | Projects: Under Construction, Approved, and Proposed - Page 149

NOPA · #**2961** Posted **Mar 19, 2011, 7:18 PM**

About the spiritual centers, I think SF already has plenty. I live in the Panhandle area and there are tons of churches that seem to have fallen into disarray and/or are underused. Everytime I pass by one (often converted from an old Victorian) I can't help wonder how much better off the neighborhood would be if they tore the building down and built some sweet new condoes or restored the original building.

Granted spiritual centers have their place in the community of course. I just get the sense that the demand in SF isn't there anymore for all structures we have. Example, the Luthern Church on Dolores Park was converted into a 17,000 square foot home.

http://601dolores.com/
http://sf.curbed.com/archives/2009/02/12/back_on_the_market_your_very_own_church_in_the_mission.php

dr_strangelove · #**2962** Posted **Mar 20, 2011, 1:59 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by NOPA

About the spiritual centers, I think SF already has plenty. I live in the Panhandle area and there are tons of churches that seem to have fallen into disarray and/or are underused. Everytime I pass by one (often converted from an old Victorian) I can't help wonder how much better off the neighborhood would be if they tore the building down and built some sweet new condoes or restored the original building.

Granted spiritual centers have their place in the community of course. I just get the sense that the demand in SF isn't there anymore for all structures we have. Example, the Luthern Church on Dolores Park was converted into a 17,000 square foot home.

http://601dolores.com/
http://sf.curbed.com/archives/2009/02/12/back_on_the_market_your_very_own_church_in_the_mission.php

Have you ever been to Glide (one of our infamous spiritual centers) to the Sunday celebration? Even if you are not a religious person, you will be moved, and the place is always packed with locals and tourists. Many people walk in alcoholics and drug addicts and are transformed (although not overnight). All I'm saying is- keep an open mind. These places really do serve the common good.

fflint · #**2963** Posted **Mar 22, 2011, 7:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by dr_strangelove

Have you ever been to Glide (one of our infamous spiritual centers) to the Sunday celebration? Even if you are not a religious person, you will be moved, and the place is always packed with locals and tourists. Many people walk in alcoholics and drug addicts and are transformed (although not overnight). All I'm saying is- keep an open mind. These places really do serve the common good.

I'm glad all you're saying now is to keep an open mind, because earlier your own mind was closed tight around your declaration that spiritual centers "are more important than shops and offices and organic restaurants for the well being of society yet all that is being built is offices, condos, and apartments."

A truly open mind would allow for the possibility that offices and shops and restaurants--which generate local jobs--and new residences just might be more important for the well-being of our society here in San Francisco than another empty 'spiritual center' in a city with a massive surplus of such things that far, far exceeds demand. Hurray for open minds!

peanut gallery · #**2964** Posted **Mar 24, 2011, 8:12 PM**

Some encouraging news for the Tenderloin. We discussed this proposal several months ago when word first came out. It will be affordable housing at Eddy and Taylor and will include space for a grocery store. Bonus points for replacing a surface lot! I don't know how much they need, but $10M is a good start.

From the SF Streetsblog:

Quote:

Tenderloin Transit-Oriented Housing Development Gets Boost From MTC
by Aaron Bialick
March 23, 2011

The Tenderloin could see a 14-story mixed-use building replace a parking lot within the next few years. Developers hoping to bring new affordable housing and space for a much-needed grocery store to the neighborhood received a $10 million funding commitment from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) today.

...

The development at 168 Eddy Street would provide 153 new apartments reserved for low-income families and space for a 12,000-foot street-level grocery store. It would help quell some of the high demand for affordable housing in the neighborhood, where valuable lots used to park cars diminish the urban fabric despite very low car ownership. Bringing the first full-sized grocery market to the neighborhood would also provide access to healthy food options within walkable distances.

...

Falk said construction on the site could start as early as 2013 after further funding is secured.

And some renderings from the architect:

Source: David Baker + Partners

CyberEric · #**2965** Posted **Mar 25, 2011, 5:14 PM**

I think that is very encouraging, but why does all new housing have to look like Tetris blocks? Is this the best design they can come up with on the cheap?

Thanks for the update!

peanut gallery · #**2966** Posted **Mar 25, 2011, 5:50 PM**

I like it. I wouldn't want to see this become the vernacular or anything, but in the Tenderloin I think this will make a nice contrast to its surroundings.

Out of curiosity, what other buildings are you thinking of with this Tetris look?

peanut gallery · #**2967** Posted **Mar 25, 2011, 5:52 PM**

More Tenderloin news. Yesterday, Planning approved St. Anthony's proposal for a new center at Jones and Golden Gate. It will replace their existing 3-story building on that corner.

From SFGate:

Quote:

The Tenderloin charity St. Anthony's will be able to build a new 10-story community center after the plan received unanimous approval from the Planning Commission Thursday.

Once the building at Jones Street and Golden Gate Avenue is constructed, it will house a new dining room, a free clothing shop and a social work center under one roof, said Karl Robillard, spokesman for the charity.

...

The building will also house 90 units of affordable senior housing, run by Mercy Housing. Construction is slated to begin in July 2012.

I looked all over the architect's website but couldn't find a rendering and the one on SFGate is tiny:

But SocketSite has this one:

Source: SocketSite.

And best of all, it looks noting like Tetris blocks!

1977 · #**2968** Posted **Mar 25, 2011, 6:07 PM**

Mission news:

Quote:

Oyster Development Corp. has agreed to buy a site in the heart of San Francisco’s Mission district and will revive a stalled — and contentious — plan to build housing and an entertainment center there.
Oyster President Dean Givas said his firm, along with equity partner Tricon Capital Group, is acquiring the Giant Value store at 2558 Mission St. near 21st Street, a site where Mission District impresario Gus Murad had planned to build 95 housing units and 14,000 square feet of retail. Murad, who owns Medjool restaurant on Mission Street, will retain ownership of the adjacent, shuttered New Mission ...

Read more: Oyster tries to crack Mission | San Francisco Business Times

Source: www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco

Does anyone have a subscription? I'd love to read the rest. This project, along with this one, could really begin to turn Mission St. around.

dr_strangelove · #**2969** Posted **Mar 25, 2011, 6:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1977

Mission news:

Source: www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco

Does anyone have a subscription? I'd love to read the rest. This project, along with this one, could really begin to turn Mission St. around.

Is it a high rise? I highly doubt it in this area.. isn't the height limit 40'?

1977 · #**2970** Posted **Mar 25, 2011, 6:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by dr_strangelove

Is it a high rise? I highly doubt it in this area.. isn't the height limit 40'?

No, it should be somewhere around 40'. I know they were aiming for an extra 20' (60' total) but I'm not sure if that was ever approved.

fflint · #**2971** Posted **Mar 25, 2011, 7:12 PM**

Tetris or not, I like most of the new stuff in the Tenderloin including the Turk/Taylor proposal.

Sometime soon I hope to have the time to hit up the Census site and and get some sense of how many new housing units have been added in the Tenderloin over the last decade.

dr_strangelove · #**2972** Posted **Mar 25, 2011, 7:35 PM**

deletedelete

Jerry of San Fran · #**2973** Posted **Mar 25, 2011, 8:54 PM**

Today I took a picture of the demoliton of the old Trinity Plaza facing Mission Street that has started, which I am glad to see. It means that construction of the 2nd building of the Trinity Place complex is happening this year. Note the 1st building in the background of the photo showing the completed 1st Trinity Place building.

Trinity Plaza started out many years ago (1960's?) as a motel. I can't remember the name of it and will try to get information and post. Anyone know the history?

[IMG]http://[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/antinous/5559550140/]

[/url][/IMG]

edwards · #**2974** Posted **Mar 25, 2011, 9:08 PM**

SFPUC building 2 days ago...

CyberEric · #**2975** Posted **Mar 25, 2011, 9:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by peanut gallery

I like it. I wouldn't want to see this become the vernacular or anything, but in the Tenderloin I think this will make a nice contrast to its surroundings.

Out of curiosity, what other buildings are you thinking of with this Tetris look?

That building at the Trinity stuff looks like Tetris to me, maybe it will grow on me, but I am not too excited about it in the renderings.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1977

Mission news:

Source: www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco

Does anyone have a subscription? I'd love to read the rest. This project, along with this one, could really begin to turn Mission St. around.

I wish I could read the article to see what the plan is there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fflint

Tetris or not, I like most of the new stuff in the Tenderloin including the Turk/Taylor proposal.

Sometime soon I hope to have the time to hit up the Census site and and get some sense of how many new housing units have been added in the Tenderloin over the last decade.

I like the proposals as well, I just think it's likely to look like bad design in 20 years.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry of San Fran

Today I noted that the demoliton of the old Trinity Plaza facing Mission Street has started, which I am glad to see. It means that construction of the 2nd building of the Trinity Place complex is happening this year. Note the 1st building in the background of the photo I took today showing the completed 1st Trinity Place building.

Trinity Plaza started out many years ago (1960's?) as a motel. I can't remember the name of it and will try to get information and post. Anyone know the history?

[IMG]http://[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/antinous/5559550140/]

[/url][/IMG]

Glad to see that old hotel go.

Jerry of San Fran · #**2976** Posted **Mar 25, 2011, 9:11 PM**

Edwards - you must have taken the picture between the raindrops! Nice.

1977 · #**2977** Posted **Mar 25, 2011, 9:12 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry of San Fran

Today I noted that the demoliton of the old Trinity Plaza facing Mission Street has started, which I am glad to see. It means that construction of the 2nd building of the Trinity Place complex is happening this year. Note the 1st building in the background of the photo I took today showing the completed 1st Trinity Place building.

Trinity Plaza started out many years ago (1960's?) as a motel. I can't remember the name of it and will try to get information and post. Anyone know the history?

[IMG]http://[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/antinous/5559550140/]

[/url][/IMG]

I forget which hotel was there prior to the Infinity Apartments but I do know the Crystal Palace Market used to be there:

Source and more info and pictures: http://www.foundsf.org/index.php?title=Crystal_Palace_Market

1977 · #**2978** Posted **Mar 25, 2011, 9:13 PM**

Missed this:

Quote:

then in 1944 it was bought by 33-year-old Joseph Long of Alameda, who in the previous seven years had started a chain of drug stores. He “modernized” the huge market by breaking up its open spaces and building a large drugstore in one corner. But postwar tastes changed as families moved out to the suburbs. On August 1, 1959, the Crystal Palace Market closed its doors and was demolished to make room for the new $8 million, 400-room Del Webb TowneHouse luxury motel.

Source: http://www.foundsf.org/index.php?title=Crystal_Palace_Market

ElDuderino · #**2979** Posted **Mar 25, 2011, 10:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by edwards

SFPUC building 2 days ago...

Looks like just a few more floors to go.

The Trinity plaza may look like Tetris, but I actually like it. I think it'll be impressive when the whole complex is completed.

peanut gallery · #**2980** Posted **Mar 25, 2011, 10:43 PM**

Thanks for the updates Jerry and edwards, and for the history lesson, 1977. Very interesting all the way around.

Eric - That's right, you mentioned that in the Trinity thread. Have you had a chance to examine (in person) the Trinity building that is already built? Maybe in person you'll like it better than the renderings? I'm pretty excited about that whole development myself, but I can see your concern -- especially given they will fill an entire block. Hopefully Trinity and the Tenderloin buildings won't look too dated in a couple of decades. I guess time will tell.