SAN FRANCISCO | 1939 Market Street | 159 FT | 15 FLOORS

[38 Geary]

Specs:
- 159 FT | 15 FLOORS
- 187 units (106 studios, 80 1BR, 1 2BR)
- 100% of the units will be affordable for seniors, 15-60% of AMI
- 1,520 sq ft ground floor retail
- Parking for 0 cars and 23 bicycles

The site: https://goo.gl/maps/e6mwLuekXff3aigCA

New Building Permits Filed For 1939 Market Street, San Francisco



BY: ANDREW NELSON 5:00 AM ON NOVEMBER 21, 2022

New building permits have been filed for the 15-story affordable senior housing at 1939 Market Street in San Francisco. The filing by Paulett Taggart Architects estimates construction to cost around $157 million. While the plans remain preliminary, the application shows progress within the planning department.

...

The Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development has marked 1939 Market Street as a high priority for approval. Mercy has also filed to utilize Senate Bill 35 to expedite approval. The property was purchased by the City of San Francisco in 2020 for $12 million.

Paulett Taggart Architects is responsible for the design, working with associate architect Y.A. Studio. The grid pattern exterior emphasizes its verticality, culminating with a dramatic flatiron edge. Current plans have a restrained color palette for the exterior, contrasted by a pastel color flair along the ground floor. PTA has had 25 years of experience in the Bay Area, with particular focus on designing low-income housing to work for the residents and community-based non-profits. YA Studio will contribute focus on innovative and modern design techniques.

...

The 159-foot tall structure will yield around 141,630 square feet, with 1,520 square feet for ground-floor commercial retail space and 1,590 square feet of usable open space. Parking will be included for 23 bicycles and no cars. Unit sizes will vary with 106 studios, 80 one-bedrooms, and one two-bedroom. Units will be offered for residents earning between 15-60% of the Area’s Median Income. The application uses the State Density Bonus program to increase residential capacity above base zoning.

...

Thanks to the fast-tracking of project review and approval, staff believe the project may conclude the planning and entitlements process early next year. Writing to YIMBY, Mercy has shared that construction is expected to start in the Fall of 2024, with completion roughly two years later.

https://sfyimby.com/2022/11/new-building-permits-filed-for-1939-market-street-san-francisco.html

[38 Geary]

And the renderings:









https://sfyimby.com/2022/11/new-building-permits-filed-for-1939-market-street-san-francisco.html

[dktshb]

this is not the most interesting looking building but I have always wanted new construction for this location. I like that there is no parking with this structure.

Now if they would make better use of the expansive safeway and its parking lot across Market I would be extremely happy.

[38 Geary]

Permit Activity For 1939 Market Street, San Francisco



By: Andrew Nelson 5:30 am on January 24, 2025

Permit activity has been spotted for the 15-story affordable senior housing proposal at 1939 Market Street by the Castro, San Francisco. The Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development has filed a planning application to establish a long-term ground lease for Mercy Housing to take control of the site to build housing for residents within the LGBTQ community. Mercy Housing is the project developer.

In February 2020, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors purchased the site for $12 million from the Educational Revenue Augmentation Fund through the MOHCD. Permits were first filed for the project in mid-September of 2022, with final approval given in May of 2023. Reporting by Matthew Bajko from last September details that Mercy Housing missed out on key construction financing through the State but will reapply for the same funding again this year.

...

Paulett Taggart Architects is the architect of record, with Y.A. Studio as the associate architect. The approved plans have been injected with color to the structure, with rainbow features running along Market Street and a vertical window panel feature rising from above the residential entrance to the parapet.

https://sfyimby.com/2025/01/permit-activity-for-1939-market-street-san-francisco.html

[38 Geary]

And the renderings:









https://sfyimby.com/2025/01/permit-activity-for-1939-market-street-san-francisco.html

[38 Geary]

Looks like this one should be moving forward next year.

The updated specs for 1939 Market St:
- 15 floors, 159 ft
- 187 units (106 studios, 80 1BR, 1 2BR)
- 100% of the units will be affordable for seniors
- 1,700 sq ft ground floor retail
- Parking for 0 cars and 23 bicycles

The site: https://goo.gl/maps/e6mwLuekXff3aigCA

Construction Expected By Next Summer for 1939 Market Street, San Francisco

By: Andrew Nelson 5:30 am on December 16, 2025

Construction is expected to start in the Spring or Summer of next year for the 15-story affordable senior LGBTQ+ housing proposal at 1939 Market Street in San Francisco’s Castro neighborhood. The development recently secured funding from the California Department of Housing and Community Development. Mercy Housing and Openhouse are joint developers for the project.

...

Paulett Taggart Architects is responsible for the design in partnership with the associate architects, Y.A. Studio. The project conforms to a triangular parcel with a knife-edge corner overlooking Market Street and Duboce Avenue. The white-clad complex will be framed with a vertical rectangular grid and a colorful rainbow window pattern rising above the main lobby door.

New building permits were filed in late 2022 and issued in October 2023. The Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development is the current property owner and will transfer site control to Mercy Housing via a long-term ground lease. Swinerton and Rubecon will form a joint venture as general contractors during construction. The development is expected to cost at least $117 million and could be completed as early as Spring 2028.

https://sfyimby.com/2025/12/construction...or-1939-market-street-san-francisco.html

[38 Geary]

Demolition Permits Filed For 1939 Market Street in San Francisco

By: Andrew Nelson 5:30 am on May 25, 2026

Demolition permits have been filed for the existing two-story commercial structure at 1939 Market Street by the Castro in San Francisco. The site is expected to be transformed into a 15-story affordable senior housing complex that will support the neighborhood’s historic LGBTQ+ community. The project developers, Mercy Housing and Openhouse, have previously said construction could start in late 2026 or early 2027.

...

Paulett Taggart Architects is the project architect, working with associate architect Y.A. Studio. TS Studio is responsible for the landscape architecture. The flatiron-style structure conforms to the triangular lot formed at the intersection of Market Street and Duboce Avenue. Renderings show the white-clad complex will feature a colorful rainbow pattern rising above the main lobby door on Market Street, and greenery-filled terraces overlooking Duboce Avenue.

The planning application was approved in February this year. New building permits were issued in October 2023, and Mercy Housing and Openhouse secured funding through the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities program late last year. The development is expected to cost at least $117 million and could be completed as early as 2029. Swinerton and Rubecon will form a joint venture as general contractors for construction.

https://sfyimby.com/2026/05/demolition-permits-filed-for-1939-market-street-in-san-francisco.html