For the last twelve days of 2024, SF YIMBY will look back on each month and reflect on the biggest stories we covered. For our final installment of this series, here are the most substantial stories covered throughout December, which include new renderings for a more timid tower on Sloat across from the San Francisco Zoo. We covered construction progress for several big affordable projects across the city, while new plans were revealed for several projects region-wide.
Continuing with the self-reflection, I’d like to break the fourth wall here with a New Year’s Eve note of appreciation. Thank you all for joining me over the last twelve months as I covered the future of our region. It has been a joy to be laser-focused on tracking and collecting data from across the region and to share that with the public and our newsletter. I strive to be your best resource in breaking news about the massive projects changing the Bay Area and Sacramento in granularly researched detail. Every year has been full of surprises, so all I can expect for the next year is more of the unexpected. Happy New Year!
Construction Update For Transbay Block 2, SoMa, San Francisco
Transbay Block 2 West, image by Andrew Campbell Nelson
December 2nd: Construction work is progressing for the two affordable housing projects rising on Transbay Block 2 in East Cut, San Francisco. The update comes just five months after the groundbreaking for both projects, led by separate developers. Concrete is already rising for the senior housing complex, with the foundation already dug for the family housing. Once complete, the site will provide 335 new homes.
Meeting Tomorrow For Diridon Station Plaza Towers, San Jose
Caltrain Towers at Diridon Station updated image, rendering Perkins&Will
December 3rd: The San Jose Planning Director is scheduled to review plans for the two 16-story commercial towers to rise at 33-91 South Montgomery Street in front of the historic Diridon Station. The project aims to create 1.2 million square feet of office space above a mixed-use public plaza activated with retail, entertainment, and landscaping. Caltrain is the property owner and applicant.
Topping Out For Affordable Housing in Potrero Power Station, San Francisco
Potrero Power Station Block 7B establishing view, rendering by Foster and Partners, design by LMS Architects
December 10th: Construction has topped out for Potrero Power Block 7B, an affordable housing complex within the larger waterfront masterplan in San Francisco. The milestone comes a month ahead of schedule and just over a year after work started for the eight-story Sophie Maxwell Building, with completion expected next year. Associate Capital is the project developer.
Board Vote Tomorrow for 17-Story Proposal at United Artist Theater, Downtown Berkeley
2274 Shattuck Avenue pedestrian view along Shattuck, rendering by Trachtenberg Architects
December 11th: The Berkeley Zoning Adjustment Board is scheduled to review the 17-story apartment complex planned for 2274 Shattuck Avenue in Downtown Berkeley, Alameda County. The proposal has drawn significant attention as the city loses the many movie theaters that used to populate the commercial core. Panoramic Interests is the project developer.
Preliminary Application For 23-Story Tower in Downtown Berkeley
2029 University Avenue, image via Google Satellite
December 12th: Preliminary permits have been filed for yet another project that could reshape the Downtown Berkeley skyline. Earlier this week, plans surfaced for a 23-story apartment tower at 2029 University Avenue, making it the fifth or sixth tallest project in the city’s pipeline. Walnut Creek-based Laconia Development is the project developer.
Office-to-Hotel Conversion for 700 J Street in Downtown Sacramento
Hotel Eleanor at 700 J Street, rendering by HRGA
December 13th: New renderings have been released following the property sale of the historic Bank building at 700 J Street in Downtown Sacramento. The plans first surfaced at the beginning of this year to transform the existing offices into Hotel Eleanor, with guest rooms and a restaurant across from the Golden 1 Center arena. Developer Roger Hume is responsible for the project.
Public Review For 17-Story 826 North Winchester Boulevard, San Jose
826 North Winchester Boulevard aerial view, rendering by VCI Architecture
December 16th: The City of San Jose has kickstarted the public review period for 826 North Winchester Boulevard, a 17-story mixed-use complex with housing and retail. The proposal would create 135 new apartments just a few blocks north of the Westfield Valley Fair. San Jose-based VCI Company is responsible for the proposal.
Construction Underway at 1633 Valencia Street, San Francisco
1633 Valencia Street pedestrian view, rendering by David Baker Architects
December 17th: Construction is moving forward for an affordable housing project at 1633 Valencia Street across from the Mission District in San Francisco. That’s the major update from our recent site visit after crews have been working since the July groundbreaking ceremony. Mercy Housing is the project developer.
22-Story Plans for 2700 Sloat Boulevard in Sunset District, San Francisco
2700 Sloat Boulevard aerial view, rendering by Solomon Cordwell Buenz
December 18th: Once again, plans are shifting dramatically for the potential redevelopment of the Sloat Garden Center in San Francisco’s Sunset District. After over a year of seeking approval for a 50-story tower at 2700 Sloat Boulevard, the previous developer withdrew plans in May of this year. The new joint venture has submitted plans to create over four hundred apartments in a 22-story tower.
Facade Wrapping Up For Potrero Block 2, San Francisco
Potrero Block B aerial view, rendering by HKIT Architects and Y.A. Studio
December 19th: Construction is wrapping up for Potrero Block 2, a hillside five-story affordable housing complex at 1801 25th Street in Potrero Terrace on Potrero Hill, San Francisco. Crews are moving towards the final stage of opening the 157 apartments, of which most will be dedicated to existing Potrero Public Housing residents. BRIDGE Housing is the project’s developer.
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