So excited about 4th, even though it was downsized. Will start to set a precedent that Mission Bay can be denser and taller, and will hopefully begin to connect the urban fabric of Transbay/Rincon Hill/"The East Cut" (hate that name) with Mission Bay.
75 Howard is less exciting to me because that particular building won't do anything to fix our housing crisis since, if we're being honest, that's primed for secondary units (I'm very much in favor of as much market rate and "luxury" housing as possible, by the way, but I far prefer the luxury properties that are more geared toward wealthy professionals who will be living in the city full time thus taking the pressure off the older housing stock so that can go to less wealthy families), but with that location there was never any chance for anything other than super expensive units, so I'm very much for it. I think it will make almost no impact on the skyline whatsoever and will be overshadowed by other projects almost the second it is finished and so I almost categorize it as infill, which is so ironic given the outcry about it. Those views though...
One that I'm really excited about is the SF Conservatory of Music building (
https://www.cavagnero.com/project/san-francisco-conservatory-of-music/) got approved yesterday (420 student beds, plus 30 units for faculty and the former residents of the building its replacing). I spoke out in favor of the development at planning, but it seems I wasn't needed...everybody spoke in favor of it, EVEN SUE HESTOR who even self-deprecatingly referenced the rarity of her speaking out in favor of new construction and raising a height limit. The developer and the conservatory are doing an amazing job and have gone above and beyond in terms of keeping the current rent controlled tenants in the area, leasing them units in the soon to be completed 150 Van Ness (right across the street from the project) until the new building is finished. Will be great urban infill for Civic Center/Mid-Market/Hayes Valley with a lot of heart and thought behind it. Cannot wait for the free performances with views of City Hall in the background!!!
And speaking of great infill, the Mission Rock presentation at the Land Use and Transportation Commission was really interesting with regards to retail. They diagrammed Hayes, Chestnut, Valencia, and Fillmore to create their retail corridors, aiming to mimic the dimensions, size, and mixed-use of those streets. Unlike many developers with giant floorplans that never get leased, when completed it looks like we'll be seeing many small, narrow, and deep floorplans aimed at small businesses and increasing diversity of use along the streets. SF Giants are another class act, I just wish it was being built quicker because it will be a real asset to Mission Bay and the city as a whole.
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