A project review meeting has been requested with plans to renovate the interiors of the San Francisco Armory at 1800 Mission Street in the Mission District. The proposal will leave the historic facade and site use unchanged while adding more equipment infrastructure in the Drill Court venue while creating a dedicated Jazz Club and VIP lounge in the support area. AJ Capital Partners is sponsoring the application.
The Armory level one floor plan, illustration by TEF Design
The Armory level two floor plan, illustration by TEF Design
The current Armory was finished in 1914, replacing the previous armory destroyed during the 1906 earthquake and fire. It was in use as an armory by the US National Guard up until 1976. The National Guard used the Drill Court for public boxing events from the 1920s to the 1940s. The property was designated a landmark and listed in the National Register in 1978. The site has been plagued with basement flooding from groundwater. Some misinformation has circulated that Mission Creek flows below the sub-basement.
Rather famously, the property was purchased by Peter Acworth of Kink.com in 2006 for $14.5 million. The BDSM pornography studio operated at the site up until 2018, Acworth sold the Armory to AJ Capital Partners for $65 million.
Armory interior, image via Global Gourmet
The Armory rooftop activity, rendering from The Armory website
Further details about the interior design work and plans have not been described. TEF Design will be leading the job. The Drill Court will remain the primary entertainment venue for the Armory, with a ticketing and waiting area accessible via 14th Street. A large open floor will separate the performance platform from two levels of bleacher-style seating. The second floor will also include venue supporting space for equipment.
Adjacent to the Drill Court is the large castle-like section where a Jazz Club and VIP Lounge will be accessible from Mission Street. The Jazz section includes a stage, seating, dining area, and a bar. An existing ceiling cutout above the future stage will open up to an L-shaped section of seating for patrons.
The Armory aerial view, image via Google Satellite
AJ Capital Partners has yet to reply to a request for comment from YIMBY.
Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail
Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates
Like YIMBY on Facebook
Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews
$14.5M –> $65M. Not a bad flip there.
I’d really like to see this space activated and open to the public. I’m not a jazz fan, but I think the idea of a club is great. For the right act, I’d certainly go.
I remember when they had Roller Derby there in the ’60’s.
Misinformation? I’ve personally where Mission Creek flows through the basement of the Armory. This is a channeled flow — not related to any groundwater flooding.
Wow! This is exciting!
Interesting ! As a lover of Jazz bring it !
Lots of crazy mojo in that building for sure ARMORY
Roller Derby , Porn Studios , Jazz so SF ❤️
Fantastic. As a jazz fan and a local resident I sure hope this happens.