2 Varela at Holloway - P3 project apartment style housing for 580 students, built on University Park South block 6 that was formerly part of Parkmerced
I hope they can find a good anchor tenant like a cafe or restaurant to help activate the street front and keep the mini plaza poppin. Too bad they didn't continue the awning down farther, along the storefronts.
Much-needed Tenderloin housing makes architectural splash — after an 11-year wait
John King
Aug. 13, 2019 Updated: Aug. 13, 2019 4 a.m.
There’s a visually striking addition to the ever-troubled Tenderloin — a nine-story structure clad in colorful brick that holds 113 apartments for low-income residents, plus a pair of community-oriented retail spaces.
Too bad it took 11 years to summon the newcomer into existence.
I emphasize the backstory to 222 Taylor, the new affordable housing complex at the corner of Eddy and Taylor streets, because it offers vivid insight into why the construction of such housing never keeps pace with the obvious need. At the same time, the very real quality of the end result bears witness to the determined talent that San Franciscans continue to bring to the task at hand.
That quality should be evident to anyone willing to take in the view at a dicey corner on a long-dismal stretch of Taylor Street.
The building designed by David Baker Architects for the Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corp. manages to be jaunty and earnest at once: The facade mixes four shades of tan brick in a richly textured show of respect to its masonry-clad neighbors, yet bits and pieces fan out or pull in with attention-getting verve. The ground floor, meanwhile, places broad glass amid tall structural columns of board-formed concrete.
The columns form a pedestal to the display above, or a brawny show unto themselves. Take your pick . . . .
This puts University Park South into current perspective, actually for student move-in next Tuesday. Your former Block 6 was low density SF State housing that is being replaced by high density. Block 1 (Tapia Triangle) was also housing but is now where the BECA building is being constructed. Hopefully one day, the University will get the City to vacate that portion of Tapia so that it can be completely absorbed into the academic campus. The net gain from the new housing building more than offsets the loss from both blocks. The Parcmerced Leasing Office is to the right/east of Block 6 and is now dwarfed from 19th Avenue with the new building behind it. Block 41, at the far left, is where the wonderful Mashouf Wellness Center is now, with University Housing's garage and the former Montessori school (among other things) having been demolished. The very southern strip along Vidal remains University Housing.
Exclusive: Iconic San Francisco landmark to hit the market for the first time ever
By Blanca Torres and Fiona Kelliher – San Francisco Business Times
Aug 15, 2019, 12:56pm PDT Updated 22 minutes ago
The Transamerica Pyramid, San Francisco’s most iconic building, could soon have a new owner.
The building’s current owner, Transamerica Corp. and its parent company, Aegon, had sought an investor to take a partial stake in the building for nearly two years, but is now open to a full sale.
“We are exploring options for a possible 100 percent interest sale of the property, with Transamerica retaining naming and branding rights,” said Jay Orlandi, Transamerica’s chief administrative officer. “Right now, San Francisco has a very strong office real estate market. As well, we are seeking a reduction of exposure to our office portfolio, and greater diversity in our portfolio.”
In addition to the 853-foot Transamerica Pyramid at 600 Montgomery St., the offering will include adjacent buildings at 505 Sansome St. and 545 Sansome St. Together, the three structures comprise about 760,000 square feet.
The deal could reap roughly $600 million to $625 million, or north of $800 per square foot, according to sources familiar with the offering. Brokerage firm JLL is expected to bring the listing to the market next month . . . .
I haven't seen that actually. How many ft is it projected to be?
47 floors
511' to the roof
551' to the top of the mechanical
I haven't seen this before either, but there's a 79-page PDF on the planning department site. I don't know why Socketsite or the other usual places haven't reported it, so maybe caution is advised.
Fence is up around temporary terminal. An omen for a new building/park?
That flimsy fencing has nothing to do with future construction, but is simply directing riders to the portion of the Temporary Transbay Transit Center that is still open.
For those leaving from San Francisco, the temporary terminal will be at least partially fenced off — with signs posted — to let riders know their buses have moved. AC Transit will have ambassadors on duty to direct passengers.
Question for Jerry: what are the bluish tinted parts of Fox Plaza I just noticed? Have they been there a while?
Tall/awkward, the whole building is being painted gray (was a sandy color). The manager of the Essex Fox Plaza sent us a letter which read in part that the color was to expedite the gentrification of the neighborhood!
The blue is being applied to the mechanical 13th floor. A friend says it is a big mistake as the carbon from the mechanical machines will leave black marks on the blue - it should have been kept black as was the original color. I think that the blue looks awful.
Some lighting will be applied to the outside of the building, but I don't know where.
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(Essex) Fox Plaza 53nd year resident in 2024 - (the building everyone loves to hate :------>))