For the last twelve days of 2025, SFYIMBY will reflect on the biggest stories we’ve covered each month across the region. Some of our biggest stories from May included grand openings and construction updates, including the new UC Berkeley Engineering Center, the Transamerica Pyramid’s time capsule exhibit, and construction on Transbay Block 2. In SoMa, Strada unveiled a skyline-altering 58-story proposal for 88 Bluxome Street, a project now for sale.
UC Berkeley Holds Grand Opening for Expanded Engineering Center
UC Berkeley Engineering Center establishing view, rendering by Skidmore Owings and Merrill
May 2nd: UC Berkeley celebrated the grand opening of the cutting-edge, newly re-envisioned Grimes Engineering Center. The formal Bechtel engineering building served as a foundation for the expanded project, a 35,500-square-foot two-story glass pavilion with a three-level open forum at its center. Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill is responsible for the design, with PGA Design responsible for landscaping.
Plans Revealed For 700 Irwin Street, San Rafael, Marin County
700 Irwin Street north elevation facing 2nd Street, elevation by SCB
May 7th: Detailed plans have been revealed for the 17-story proposal at 700 Irwin Street in San Rafael, Marin County. The development, dubbed Boat Haus, aims to bring two hundred homes to the creekside property with the city’s potential tallest building. Urban Pacific Development is responsible for the application.
Early Consideration Hearing Scheduled for 17-Story Residential Tower in San Jose
826 North Winchester Boulevard aerial view highlighting the potential skybridge connecting the two residential towers, rendering via VCI Companies
May 12th: A hearing has been scheduled on May 14th to review a privately brought 2040 Envision Plan amendment that would allow the construction of a 17-story residential high-rise at 826 North Winchester Boulevard, San Jose. The project, previously reported on by SF YIMBY in February and December of last year, would require the reassignment of the property from community commercial to transit residential.
Meeting Tomorrow For Townhomes at 500 Railroad Avenue in South San Francisco
500 Railroad Avenue aerial view, rendering by SIM Architects
May 14th: The South San Francisco Planning Commission is scheduled to review plans tomorrow for an innovative townhouse development at 500 Railroad Avenue in South City, San Mateo County. The project will fit 70 units of housing into a narrow quarter-mile-long strip of land close to the Caltrain Station. Newlife Investments is responsible for the developer.
Illustration Revealed for 650 Divisadero Street, San Francisco
650 Divisadero Street aerial view, illustration by Mithun
May 15th: New illustrations have been revealed for the ten-story affordable housing complex at 650 Divisadero Street by Alamo Square in San Francisco. The proposal would replace a single-story commercial structure with 107 new apartments. The Young Community Developer and Jonathan Rose Companies are jointly sponsoring the project in partnership with MOHCD.
City Council Supports Affordable Housing Development at El Cerrito BART Station
El Cerrito Plaza aerial view, preliminary rendering of design by Pyatok and Van Meter Williams Pollack
May 19th: The El Cerrito City Council has started to support the next phase of affordable housing as part of the El Cerrito BART Station redevelopment in Contra Costa County. With construction expected to begin later this year on the first phase, the council provided a $350,000 loan while city staff apply for over $40 million in state funding for the next portion of below-market-rate units. Holliday Development, Satellite Affordable Housing Associates, and Related California are jointly responsible for the 743-unit master plan on behalf of the property owner, BART.
Zoning Permits Requested For 12,000-seat Railyards Soccer Stadium, Sacramento
Sacramento Railyards Stadium aerial view, rendering by MANICA Architects
May 22nd: Zoning permits have been requested for the proposed 12,000-seat stadium for the Sacramento Republic FC to be built at 11 7th Street, in the Railyards Special Planning District of Sacramento. The application comes just months ahead of the expected groundbreaking for a new entertainment venue in the state capital. Kansas City-based Manica is the design architect.
Transamerica Pyramid Time Capsule Gallery Open To Public
Transamerica Pyramid owner Michael Shvo with John Krizek at the Transamerica Time Capsule exhibit, image by author
May 22nd: Last week, Michael Shvo showed up to his newly reopened skyscraper to unveil the contents of the once-forgotten time capsule for the Transamerica Pyramid. The memorabilia from the 51-year-old container is now on display inside the Transamerica Annex, revealing a snapshot in San Francisco’s local culture and history related to the controversial addition to the skyline. The gallery is open to the public with access from Washington Street.
Facade Installation Complete for Transbay Block 2 West, San Francisco
Transbay Block 2 West view overlooking Beale Street, image by Andrew Campbell Nelson
May 26th: Construction has topped out with facade installation complete for the nine-story affordable senior housing complex dubbed Transbay Block 2 West in East Cut, San Francisco. The project is looking close to opening all 151 units in the heart of the high-rise neighborhood. Chinatown Community Development Center is the project developer.
Concrete Rising for Transbay Block 2 East, San Francisco
Transbay Block 2 East seen from Main Street, image by Andrew Campbell Nelson
May 26th: Crews are nearing the pinnacle of the 17-story affordable housing tower in San Francisco’s East Cut neighborhood. Transbay Block 2 East is now 14 floors above street-level, with only a few levels left before the family apartment tower will reach its peak at 230 Folsom Street. Mercy Housing is the project developer.
58-Story Tower Proposed For 88 Bluxome Street in SoMa, San Francisco
88 Bluxome Street aerial overview, rendering by Henning Larsen and SCB
May 28th: Updated plans have been filed for a potential skyline-reorienting project at 88 Bluxome Street in SoMa, San Francisco. The proposal aims to add two skyscrapers and 1,500 rental apartments to the former Tennis Club, reaching heights of 51 and 58 stories. Strada Investment Group is responsible for the application.
Renovations Proposed for San Francisco Art Institute
800 Chestnut Street Entry Revitalized Rendering, image by Jensen
May 30th: A meeting has been scheduled before the San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission to discuss proposed renovations for the San Francisco Art Institute’s Brown and Clay buildings. The two buildings in question are located at 800 Chestnut Street in the Russian Hill neighborhood. Jensen Architects are the project designers.
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
Be the first to comment on "SFYIMBY Year in Review: May 2025"