For the last twelve days of 2025, SFYIMBY will continue our tradition of reflecting on the biggest stories we’ve covered each month across the region. The year started with planning progress for two potential towers in Downtown Berkeley, as well as approval for a 15-story affordable housing tower in San Francisco’s Chinatown. In the Richmond District, an interesting proposal surfaced to expand a Burger King into a five-story mixed-use building, and further details came out about SJSU’s updated masterplan for its downtown San Jose campus. Lastly, Oakland’s home-grown soccer team announced plans to redevelop Howard Terminal with a stadium, a refreshing departure from the fraught years-long battle about the site between the city and the Athletics Major League Baseball team.
Renderings Revealed For 23-Story Tower at 2029 University Avenue, Berkeley
2029 University Avenue student housing seen from across Shattuck Avenue, rendering by SDT Architects
January 1st: New renderings have been published alongside zoning permits for a 23-story tower at 2029 University Avenue in Downtown Berkeley, Alameda County. Project developer Laconia Development has submitted two concurrent plans for residential or student housing within the identically-sized high rise. Either way, the team is pursuing one of the tallest projects in the city’s pipeline.
Plans Revealed for Housing at 3900 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco
3900 Geary Boulevard establishing view, rendering by RG Architecture
January 10th: Preliminary permits have been submitted alongside new renderings for a five-story housing project at 3900 Geary Boulevard in the Inner Richmond, San Francisco. The plans will expand upon an existing two-story commercial corner lot, retaining the Burger King joint as an anchor tenant. Sunny Ghai, a prolific franchisee of Burger King and Taco Bells across three states, is the property owner.
Permits Filed For Backyard Townhomes at 3261 Hollis Street, Oakland
3261 Hollis Street establishing view, design by Baran Studio
January 13th: Permits have been filed for a backyard townhouse development at 3261 Hollis Street in Clawson, West Oakland. The small-lot infill would replace a rear-lot garage with six new apartments. Colm Higgins and Pier Iberti et al. are listed as the property owners.
Design Review Meeting for 1998 Shattuck Avenue, Downtown Berkeley
1998 Shattuck Avenue aerial view, rendering by Trachtenberg Architects
January 14th: Berkeley‘s Design Review Committee is scheduled to review plans this Thursday for the potential tallest structure to rise in the city. The project is expected to bring nearly six hundred units by merging four lots, including the corner McDonald’s, at 1950-1998 Shattuck Avenue in Downtown Berkeley, Alameda County. NX Ventures and Rhoades Planning Group are jointly responsible for the application.
Oakland Roots Releases Plans for Howard Terminal Soccer Stadium
Oakland Roots and Soul SC Howard Terminal stadium aerial view, rendering by HOK
January 15th: Oakland Roots has released plans for a potential new soccer stadium to rise on Howard Terminal along the Oakland Estuary. The team has conceived of a multi-phase development which would culminate with a permanent arena for the Roots and the Soul Sports Club on the waterfront site. HOK is responsible for the design.
CEQA Exemption For 758-772 Pacific Avenue, San Francisco
772 Pacific Avenue preliminary massing, rendering by HCLA and Stan Teng Architectural Studio
January 20th: The notice of exemption has been published related to an affordable housing proposal at 758-772 Pacific Avenue in Chinatown, San Francisco. The 15-story project will provide an estimated 175 units of affordable housing by the busy Stockton Street thoroughfare. Chinatown Community Development Center is responsible for the application.
Draft EIR Published for San Jose State University Masterplan
SJSU view in San Carlos Plaza, rendering by SJSU
January 23rd: California State University has published the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the San Jose State University campus master plan in San Jose, Santa Clara County. The plans aim to significantly increase the school facilities, housing for students & staff, and facilities in the South Campus. Construction is expected to occur during four phases across twenty years.
Permit Activity For 1939 Market Street, San Francisco
1939 Market Street, design by Paulett Taggart Architects and YA Studio
January 24th: Permit activity has been spotted for the 15-story affordable senior housing proposal at 1939 Market Street by the Castro, San Francisco. The Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development has filed a planning application to establish a long-term ground lease for Mercy Housing to take control of the site to build housing for residents within the LGBTQ community. Mercy Housing is the project developer.
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I wonder how long it will be before the Oakland Roots depart for Vegas?
Thank you for making me laugh today. Oakland has a lot of work to do.