SAN FRANCISCO | Projects: Under Construction, Approved, and Proposed

[fimiak]

Chicago getting new buildings isn't special because Chicago is already known to be a very large world-class American city. SF's boom is unique because SF is a tiny city by area size yet it is receiving an incredibly huge boom right now that is remodeling the city to be world-class. A city with 1/3 the pop. of Chicago and 1/5 the area is gaining just as much sq ft of new office space, which in itself is impressive. SF is growing into the world's tech powerhouse and reshaping the entire industry as a result, and that is why this boom is special. The pop. density of SF is going to be nearly double that of Chicago by the time the decade is over.

Not to mention the planned growth of the city that includes the first major US high speed rail station (along with LA), a new waterfront basketball stadium, incredible surges in bike lanes, new bus rapid transit routes, a new subway line, and several new museums. It isn't just raw square footage.

[twinpeaks]

Originally Posted by fimiak

Chicago getting new buildings isn't special because Chicago is already known to be a very large world-class American city. SF's boom is unique because SF is a tiny city by area size yet it is receiving an incredibly huge boom right now that is remodeling the city to be world-class. A city with 1/3 the pop. of Chicago and 1/5 the area is gaining just as much sq ft of new office space, which in itself is impressive.

SF is and has always been a world class city, probably more well known outside the US than Chicago. There is over 8 million people in its metropolitan region, I wouldn't refer to it as tiny. City boundaries are arbitrary.

[shakman]

Can we please stop comparing cities and get back on topic?

[Jerry of San Fran]

I walked by this development today & was amazed at how extensive it is - a major undertaking indeed. And not far away at Oak St. is another major development. A lot going on in the Hayes Valley area!

[Jerry of San Fran]

I took a walk on Waller St. from Octavia St./Market St. today & got this view of Venn from the back. Across the street is an old fire station. At the end of the street is also the new housing development. It is worth a walk up the hill as there is a lot to see in this block, including a very nice Victorian.


Waller Street/Market Street near Octavia by Apollo's Light, on Flickr

[JWS]

Two projects that seem to have escaped by with fairly little chatter:

The Marlow, which is eight stories and 98 units on the corner of Van Ness and Clay, has dropped their curtain and looks pretty much done. I am quite pleased with the result, much better than I expected to be honest.

http://sf.curbed.com/archives/2013/06/20/more_pricing_released_for_the_marlow_on_van_ness.php

The Amero, at the corner of Van Ness and Filbert, has risen above ground. The exterior has risen about one story, while the elevator core has risen higher. Too early to comment on the form/materials, obviously.

http://www.socketsite.com/archives/2010/...s_on_van_ness_and_filbert_as_propos.html

I live around these developments, but only have an iPhone to take photos...I don't know what the standards for this board are for construction pics, since I am new here. If there is any interest, I'll try to snap one next time that I'm around. Really good to see some infill in the Marina/Cow Hollow/Russian Hill/Pac Heights areas, since these areas are near some extremely vibrant commercial corridors and would really benefit from increased walkability and density.

[Jerry of San Fran]

JWS - see the blue header bar for FAQ at the top of the page which will probably answer all of your questions. I think we all appreciate all pictures posted to the forum!

[fimiak]

I post all of my decent pics from my iphone even if they are grainy. The more the merrier. Videos are good too.

[simms3_redux]

I just happened to take a pic of the Marlow today from my iPhone...more would be appreciated if you have them

[timbad]

a couple shots of 8 Octavia... from across Market:



more at an angle:



it doesn't look anywhere near as striking at its 'back' end, up Octavia:

[jbm]

i walked down mission earlier in the week and it looks like demolition was done over the holidays and excavation may be underway at 1321 mission.

[JWS]

I do not know whether this is on topic or not, but two hypothetical questions for those with more experience/knowledge in this area:

1) Are there any other parcels you see in the general Transbay/Rincon Hill area that would potentially be developed as towers post completion of both area plans? I can't think but notice in the steelblue flyover video that this side of Market looks much less dense than the FiDi side...that's probably the point, but do you all have your eyes on any parcels for future towers?
2) In the future, once Transbay is built up and obviously pending the demand still being there, is there any chance that Foundry Square buildings are demolished and towers built there? I can't help but look at that as an amazing future location for towers, given the Transbay proximity, proximity to other skyscrapers, and the fact that the density would be similar to the Financial side of Market. But I also don't see the appeal of those buildings, or their tenants, disappearing overnight.

Thoughts? And if this is off-topic, I get it.

[hruski]

I don't think Foundry is going to be razed and redeveloped anytime soon. I agree that the parcels are underutilized, but at least they allow more sunlight to fall on Transbay park.

[JWS]

Originally Posted by hruski

I don't think Foundry is going to be razed and redeveloped anytime soon. I agree that the parcels are underutilized, but at least they allow more sunlight to fall on Transbay park.

Oh, definitely not soon. My hypothetical was a longer timeline. But I agree with you.

[mt_climber13]

Foundry is well planned. Yes, I said it. Towers shouldn't be everywhere. There needs to be diversity in height and airspace, which makes for a better skyline and more livable.

What an office building has to do with an *actual* foundry is beyond me..

[DimSumNoodles]

Does anyone know San Francisco's building guidelines as to whether buildings can be stacked on top of one another? It may seem outlandish and will never get approved in this city, but theoretically, is this possible? It would be interesting to see what the skyline would look like if 250+ meter buildings were built on top of Foundry Square. I'm certain I've seen buildings in New York like that.

[minesweeper]

Photo by Sergio Ruiz

[biggerhigherfaster]

The reskinning of 100 Van Ness is progressing much faster than the 680 Folsom project, which is just finishing up now after 2.5 years

not sure why; 100 Van Ness seems like a much bigger building

[fflint]

Never mind

[Jerry of San Fran]

Originally Posted by DimSumNoodles

Does anyone know San Francisco's building guidelines as to whether buildings can be stacked on top of one another? It may seem outlandish and will never get approved in this city, but theoretically, is this possible? It would be interesting to see what the skyline would look like if 250+ meter buildings were built on top of Foundry Square. I'm certain I've seen buildings in New York like that.

I doubt that it would happen today, but it has happened in the past in San Francisco. You can see an example of it on Market Street between New Montgomery and 2nd Streets on the south side. Take a look at Google Earth street view and you will see a tiny brown brick building encased by a highrise building. There were a lot of people upset that this little building was to be torn down so the developer saved it and built over it. It is currently a Boudin Cafe & Bakery. :>}