CFAH

1546–1564 Market Street Rendering

Trumark Urban is working on plans for a modern 12-story building to rise along Market and Oak Streets, between Franklin and Van Ness, with 109 condos over three ground-floor retail spaces and a basement garage with parking for 28 cars and 110 bikes.

As designed by Handel Architects, the proposed 1546-1564 Market Street project would be composed of two distinct structures: one fronting Market Street with the project’s two main retail spaces, and the second fronting Oak Street with the building’s lobby, garage entrance and the third little retail space, likely a café.

1546–1564 Market Street Project: Oak Street Rendering

Narrow pedestrian walkways would connect the two structures at every level above the ground floor, including between the roof-top terraces on each of the structures which would be shielded by a 16-foot windscreen.

Located directly adjacent to the Market Street parcels upon which the Richard Meier designed One Van Ness tower is proposed to rise up to 37-stories in height, three existing buildings will need to be razed for Trumark’s project to be constructed, including the garage at 55 Oak Street and the office building at 1554-1564 Market Street, both of which are historical resources and will require a detailed environmental review.

If eventually approved, the development would take around 20 months to construct, including the initial demolition and site work.  We’ll keep you posted and plugged-in.

Comments from Plugged-In Readers

  1. Posted by Dave

    Bleak institutional design. Yikes! This mid-Market area will look awful and be totally uninviting at street level. Luckily I visit Portland and Seattle often and get the chance to see far more intimate and appealing mid-size residential projects.

    • Posted by OMN

      You could visit Hayes Valley, literally 5 blocks away to get the same experience, Dave.

      • Posted by foggydunes

        Haha, seriously– comparing two entire cities to one neighborhood in this one.

  2. Posted by Indeed

    I believe that at some point in future to the east side a super residential tower is planned. I gather it will hide the eastern face of this structure. Any positive change in this area is welcome given the street people that seem to gather in this location, my only concern is that said folks are pushed out to my soma hood.

    [Editor’s Note: As reported above, “Located directly adjacent to the Market Street parcels upon which the Richard Meier designed One Van Ness tower is proposed to rise up to 37-stories in height…”]

  3. Posted by Sierrajeff

    I rather like the design… though I have trouble trusting renderings that can’t even get the re-clad AAA building right.

  4. Posted by Sierrajeff

    Just had to do a Google street view to recall the 2 “historic” buildings that will be razed. OMFG, you’ve got to be kidding. I’m a huge historic preservation supporter, but c’mon – those two buildings could not be more plain and unremarkable. So ridiculous that a special “environmental” review is required because of these two lumps of masonry.

    • Posted by BobN

      Plain, unremarkable, already so muddled, what could possibly be the point? Even if they were 300 years old, I’d say yank ’em down.

  5. Posted by Joseph A

    not really loving the design either even though its better then what currently exists ,

  6. Posted by Snark17

    Looks nice to me. The walkways sound cool.

    Is the Meier tower still happening? Seems like no news for a long time on that one.

  7. Posted by BobN

    The pigeons will enjoy those ledges.

  8. Posted by Xman

    I like it. But then again I’m for the “bleak, institutional” changes happening to SF, especially since it means less hippies and hobos.

    • Posted by 4Oceans

      Uber needs to create a hippie n hobo app so developers can highlight decreasing in urban undesirables as they attempt to lure techie crunchers toward the zone

      • Posted by Techie Tweaker

        You and everyone else here. Welcome to Dallas.

        • Posted by Xman

          It’s so bad that you’re just gonna have to stay and complain about it.

  9. Posted by friscan

    The design of the “Meier” building has been re-tooled, maybe even a new architect, but that tower should make a real difference in how this builidng looks: it will obscure the blank, east-side property walls of these two towers. This building’s facade will pretty much be all the public can see, which is clearly the most compelling part.

    As part of a set of buildings anchring this critically-important corner, this Handel design should appear much more elegant than as the stand-alone rendered here.

    • Posted by foggydunes

      Spot on- I wish someone could put this in context of the future massing.

  10. Posted by Patrick

    109 units and only 28 parking spaces? LOL. JFC.

    • Posted by anotherSF

      There’s a muni station across the street and Hayes Valley, the Mission, and the changing SOMA all within 10 minute walk. I’m surprised they bothered with any parking.

      • Posted by Patrick

        If I’m plunking down $1000+ per square foot I absolutely want parking. Doesn’t mean I won’t avail myself of walking/biking and public transit, but car ownership isn’t an evil thing that needs to be as actively discouraged as SF seems hell bent on doing.

        • Posted by foggydunes

          You may want it, but perhaps for others (especially future generations) it is becoming less and less of a priority in their housing decisions: Young people are opting for public transit over buying their own wheels.

          • Posted by Futurist

            Young people turn into 30 somethings and then 40 somethings, some with families and they WILL buy a car, or two.

            But of course, the car haters here will continue their endless rant. I’m all for bikes and public transit as well AS car use. It’s making sure different people have choices.

          • Posted by anon

            Futurist, why do you want to remove choice then?

          • Posted by Futurist

            @anon: Perhaps you’re playing a clever word game re: “choice”.
            How am I removing choices?

          • Posted by anon

            You want to force developers to build more parking. You’ve been on the record many times opposing the removal of parking minimum requirements. Thus you want to remove the choice of developers to build the proper amount of parking (which may be zero in many cases) and the choice of people to buy in a building without parking.

          • Posted by Anon

            Why do so many believe developers would pass along the “savings” to buyers by not providing parking? I actually think units without parking subsidize the cost of units in the same building with parking. Also, if the majority of the buyers are looking for parking, that’s the product developers will want to build. It’s all about selling. Buildings without any parking provide the best possible cost savings.

          • Posted by anon

            Um, who said anything about developers “passing along savings”? Do you not understand how markets work? Allowing developers to determine the appropriate amount of parking to build lowers their costs, which encourages more developers into the game AND allows all developers to build more units (since less space is taken up by parking). More supply leads to lower prices, not any of this nonsense about developers passing along savings.

            Also, I’ve said numerous times that I’d be fine with eliminating all parking requirements (minimum and maximum) and allowing the market to determine the appropriate amount, instead of the politburo. Futurist much prefers the heavy hand of the central planners in determining the amount of parking that us lowly citizens “need”.

          • Posted by Futurist

            Here’s why I have this opinion:
            1. Most of the owners, I believe, will have a car, or intend to buy a car. Renters generally ride bikes, up to a certain age. Owner (who typically) are more wealthy will want a car, perhaps also enjoying a bike. At this price point, a typical buyer profile will WANT a parking space.
            2. Without adequate parking, they will end up parking on the street, if available, or paying for it in a garage.
            3. Having on site parking only relieves congestion in looking for a space. I like on site parking.
            4. In some past posts I have been only with a 1:2 ratio of parking. In this case, it’s almost 1:4. I call that unbalanced.

          • Posted by anon

            Again, let us know why you’re more qualified to decide this than the marketplace. The arrogance of the central-planning-at-all-cost folks is just crazy. Learn from the wisdom of crowds.

          • Posted by Futurist

            Who said I was more qualified? just giving my opinions.
            You seem pretty defensive when others disagree with you.

          • Posted by Anon

            The “wisdom of the crowds” is not the same as the wisdom of property buyers. Two different incomes, two different age groups, and two different levels on a career path. Builders build what buyers want, they are not “forced” to build units and projects that will not sell.

          • Posted by BobN

            Do you mean the wisdom of the crowd driving around looking for a parking place?

          • Posted by anon

            Exactly Anon. Builders should be allowed to build what they want. They’re not allowed that now, with parking minimums in the vast majority of SF, and parking maximums in the rest. Futurist and his politburo of parking experts is now deciding exactly how much each development needs.

          • Posted by anon

            @BobN, yes, that’s exactly what I mean. If we see places where many folks are circling for a parking space, then obviously the on street parking is priced waaaaaay to low. Price it higher and the circling stops, because no one would be hanging around for the killer cheap/free spot.

        • Posted by seriously

          not trying to hijack this thread with the usual “number of parking spots” squabble, but a lot of NYC condos don’t have parking. it’ll be interesting to see if it becomes less of a “given amenity”. while i agree with you- that a fancy condo like this should have it, things are changing. it will become more and more of a precious commodity.

        • Posted by The Milkshake of Despair

          @Patrick: Sounds like you’re not in the target demographic for this project then.

          • Posted by NoeValleyJim

            Haha, I typed the exact same thing in MoD. If you don’t want to buy here, don’t buy it, but don’t expect the City to force your preferences on everyone else.

          • Posted by Spencer

            im changing my tune on the parking thing too for selfish reasons. I dont want any new buidling to ahve parking and no neighborhood permits to be given out to new residents who do not have an assigned aprking space. the traffic has gotten quite a bit worse over the past 1.5 yrs. As long as they dont give out new neighborhood permits, then im in favor of limiting the parking spots in new buidlings. however, if they continue to give new parking permits to new residents without a garage, then it will just make traffic worse with the circlers.

            if they continue to give out new permits, then every new unit should have a garage to cut down congestion

          • Posted by Anon

            Agree with Spencer, no more neighborhood permits should be issued if no off street parking is included. If someone is going to pay $1000 sq ft here, no parking is part of the deal. BTW…I’m surprised there are not more “taller!” comments.

          • Posted by Alai

            Anon: there is logic to that idea. But it’s also a bit silly to say “we’ll give you cheap street parking, but only if you don’t really need it because you have your own parking.”

            I’d add to your proposal that the people who do own the right to neighborhood permits that they don’t need should be allowed to sell those rights to people who don’t have them because they live in new buildings. That way, those who need them can get them (at a cost) while existing owners profit– win-win.

        • Posted by Alai

          If you’re plunking down $1000+ per square foot, the average parking spot will cost $300,000+. At that price, you may reconsider whether you absolutely want parking.

          Of course, basement space is a discount from other space– but not that much of a discount. Another planned development already includes a below-ground supermarket, so there’s competition even for the underground.

    • Posted by anon

      You know what’s crazy!?!?! I live in a building in SF with 8 units and zero parking spots!!!! JFC!!!!!

      • Posted by BobN

        Do you happen to know how many total cars the 8 units own?

  11. Posted by invented

    Can tolerate it. So glad it’s not 3 stories. Street level experience on Market HAS to be better. If anyone is awake in Planning and has any sense of Market as main boulevard for SF — they will make the street experience grand. Market is moving towards a pedestrian- and bike-only street as we should plan accordingly for an increasingly dense and engaging pedestrian experience.

  12. Posted by Confier

    Many new buildings in NY have parking. It adds to the value way beyond the cost to the developer.
    In Paris, run by socialists, they are also against cars, but there are multi-story garages under virtually every park and plaza big enough to have them, including many famous places such as the Madeleine and the Bourse.
    It is manipulative and short-sighted to limit parking spaces. Cars are not going away.
    Moreover, as I have said before, Muni will never be a system even remotely as useful as that of those in big cities like NY, London, Paris.

    • Posted by Spencer

      every single friend and family member i have who lives in Manhattan owns a car. they didn’t in their 20s and early 30s, but they all do now

      • Posted by Confier

        So do all of my friends, and they pay good prices for their parking spaces if they live in buildings without garages.

        • Posted by anon

          Hm, as long as we’re debating public policy choices based on anecdotal evidence, all of the people I know that live in NYC have pet dogs, therefore SF should force all apartments to be built with doggy doors.

          You guys must not know many people in New York, lol. I lived in Manhattan for five years, and I don’t think I met more than 10 people that kept cars in the city (worked in midtown at an IB). I knew more people that had their own full time drivers than people that had their own cars.

          • Posted by Spencer

            i wasnt making a policy comment about NY, just an observation about friends and family. i know about 12 households in Manhattan and they all have cars. two of them drive from upper east site to downtown every day. the others dont use them a lot but they have them

          • Posted by anon

            Not sure what the point of bringing it up was then? 12 people in Manhattan is like a grain of salt on th beach. You just happen to know some people that fall WELL outside the norm for Manhattan, since we can look at you know, data, to see that it’s VERY rare for Manhattanites to drive to work.

          • Posted by Spencer

            i never said it wasnt rare. im giving commentary, not statistically evidence. it was related to the conversation. im not making a public policy point. are you not OK with people just sharing what comes to their mind about a topic? would you like to monitor all of my communications and make sure there is a point to them all? not everything needs to be a key message

          • Posted by anon

            Yes, please send me all of your communications post-haste. I’d like to review them.

      • Posted by Xman

        Most people I know in SF *dont* have a car. But they are mostly renters. Maybe new rental buildings should forego parking and the condos can make up for the slack?

    • Posted by The Milkshake of Despair

      hehe, looks like the old falsities are alive and well:

      Paris has underground parking == SF should allow unlimited parking
      limiting parking == socialism
      cars are here to stay == allow unlimited parking
      muni is bad now == muni will never be good

      On the last one, consider that one of the reasons that Muni is so poor is that we’ve over-subsidized parking and that leads to congestion which interferes with Muni. So asking for more parking because “Muni will be bad forever” becomes a self-fulfilled prophecy.

      • Posted by SFRealist

        Well, no. MUNI’s awfulness has nothing to do with oversubsidizing parking. It’s terrible because of (1) decades of incompetent management, (2) meddling elected officials, and (3) under funding (largely caused by #1 and #2).

        • Posted by anon

          And oversubsidizing parking. You forgot #4.

          • Posted by BobN

            In what sense is parking subsidized, let alone over-subsidized? The parking structures in the city are revenue sources, no?

            If you mean the streets, etc. that’s subsidizing driving, not car storage.

          • Posted by lyqwyd

            @BobN

            Free (or minimal cost) street parking, planning required parking minimums, and anything other than market rate parking meters are subsidized parking

          • Posted by anon

            Literally tens of thousands of cars are stored for free (or an artificially low cost) on the streets. Not sure what you’re smoking if you think streets are only for driving.

          • Posted by Anon

            If we are for eliminating “free” on street parking, why does the SFMTA refuse to allow off street parking to be built? I believe Ed Reiskin and Cheryl Brinkman’s “not one new space” policy still stands? During the Polk Street hearings I remember watching that they had refused a private developer from building a parking garage because it would “increase the number of spaces in the city”.

          • Posted by anon

            Why does one have anything to do with the other? Are you saying that the city has an obligation to provide free parking?

          • Posted by Anon

            Quite the opposite, I am NOT saying the city has an obligation to provide free parking. I am saying the city should allow private developers to build private pay parking garages like the one proposed between Polk and Van Ness. This project was blocked by Reiskin and Brinkman because their “not one additional space” policy includes off street private parking….don’t believe me, watch one of the hearings on SFGOV. The garage project was proposed in anticipation of what at that time was almost 60% of the street parking on Polk, this of course has since been relaxed, but I would have been in favor of the garage, AND the bike lanes.

          • Posted by anon

            I guess I missed the part where I disagreed with you on this?

            Again though, that has nothing to do with the ridiculous subsidization of on-street parking, and subsidizing more than 100,000 parking spots in the city would be a much higher priority for fixing than other issues, IMO.

          • Posted by lyqwyd

            Yes, some people supposedly being against private parking garages is a completely different topic than whether parking is subsidized (which it has been shown to be).

            Also, please cite a reference for your “not one new space” quote. I’d be interested to know who actually made such a statement, and in what context.

    • Posted by S

      “It adds to the value way beyond the cost to the developer.”

      Right – not having parking actually makes these units more affordable than they would be otherwise. Why do rich people want to live in the center of a city only to force their suburban preferences on an environment clearly not built to accommodate those preferences?

  13. Posted by Someone stole my burrito

    I would probably walk past this and not notice that it didn’t used to be there.
    It isn’t ugly.
    It’s just very blendy.

    • Posted by Anon

      It’ll blend in even more once the towers start going up on the corners… If it has a nice active ground floor use then I think it works fine to eventually bridge in the gap between One Van Ness and the rest of the block. Not ugly, nor iconic, but it will do it’s job relatively quietly.

  14. Posted by unlivable city

    From the sides it looks like a jail.

    • Posted by Alai

      That’s because the sides are designed to be covered up by other buildings.

  15. Posted by flowmotion

    Way back when, I worked for a bit in that office building, and indeed the place was completely uninteresting dump. I’m shocked that it would end up on a “historic” list.

    I will shed a tear for the garage’s facade though.

  16. Posted by Jim

    A couple of months ago, in a SF Business Times breakfast, the largest developer of housing units in SF said “Today I don’t have any problem building 1 parking space per four units; there is no problem in the market place. Five years ago, yes; today, no.

    Fifteen years ago I met with the French Minister of Transportation; he absolutely could not understand why anyone would want to limit parking. That is when the build a parking garage under every postage stamp plaza in Paris. Five years later, I met with his successor who told me that it is now the national policy of France not to build any urban parking garages. Lets face it, its relatively easy to build parking, but impossible to widen streets. The more parking there is, the more of us drive; and vice versa. Give me plentiful (and hence cheap) parking and sure, I will drive to work; and jam up our streets even more than they are. Bad public policy. Its really not a philosophical question, its a simple matter of geometry.

  17. Posted by Joy J

    I don’t love the back! Why not make the wall a green wall. I don’t think this warm enough. It can be modern and without being heartless.

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