New renderings have been published for the Transbay Block 2 affordable apartments in SoMa, San Francisco. The plans will create 334 new homes, split between two structures, the family and the senior housing buildings being developed respectively by Mercy Housing and the Chinatown Community Development Center.
Transbay Block 2 will yield a combined 315,180 square feet with 334 homes spanning 216,100 square feet, 4,720 square feet for retail, and 5,080 square feet for childcare facilities. Of the 334 homes, there will be 52 studios, 190 one-bedrooms, 55 two-bedrooms, and 37 three-bedrooms. Parking will be included for 136 bicycles.
Transbay Block 2 East Family Building view from the Transbay Park, rendering by Kennerly Architecture & Planning
Transbay 2 East will create 183 affordable homes dedicated to family households. The 17-story building will be developed and owned by Mercy Housing with architectural design by Kennerly Architecture & Planning. The homes will offer a range of affordability for households earning 20% to 80% of the Area Median Income.
Transbay Block 2 West Senior Building, rendering by Mithun
Across the mews, Transbay 2 West will offer 151 affordable units for seniors. The nine-story building will be developed and owned by Chinatown Community Development Center and designed by Mithun.
While both buildings will have a unique architectural flair, the planning documents write that “the two buildings are a complementary pair, sharing a unifying low-rise townhouse massing fronting the park and a common masonry material sensibility establishes the block as its own precinct in contrast with the glassy towers across Folsom Street.” Facade materials will include pre-cast panels of varied textures, metal mullions and spandrels, curtainwall glass, and concrete accents. Wood accents will provide an additional flourish along the street level.
Transbay Block 2 East Family Building facade elevation, rendering by Kennerly Architecture & Planning
Transbay Block 2 3 and 4 site map
Between the West and East building will be an amenity-rich Mews passage. The mid-block walkway will be lined with retail space, multipurpose rooms, and a child-care courtyard. From the planning documents, “we envision this as a commons for outdoor dining, retail overflow, or simply as a place to decompress.”
The mews will connect pedestrians from Folsom Street to Clementina Street and the Transbay Block 3 Park. Plural is the landscape architect.
Transbay Block 2 site map, illustration by Plural
Transbay Block 2 senior courtyard, rendering by Kennerly Architecture & Planning
Transbay Block 2 senior building stoops over Clementina Street, rendering by Kennerly Architecture & Planning
Transbay Block 2 mews seen from Folsom Street, rendering by Kennerly Architecture & Planning
The existing 0.98-acre site occupies a third of the former Transbay Bus Terminal. Now, the site is a community space dubbed the Crossing at East Cut. Block 2 is currently occupied by a community room, surface parking, a children’s play area, and a dog run.
CCDC has confirmed with YIMBY that construction is expected to start on Transbay Block 2 West by 2024, depending on the availability of state funding through the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee.
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Hell yes. Finally, after all of these years, this block is firing up.
Cannot wait for the old temporary terminal site to get built out. I think this park will be a favorite spot for residents and workers alike (assuming people get back to the office at some point).
It seems like a strange place for Senior Housing as they are sort of isolated in the Business/Employment District and most of them would be retired. The same thing for Families, it seems like all their friends and schools would live further away from that area. I guess the positive side of it is they are close to transit to get to anywhere else in the City.
More housing near lots of transit options is good.