Construction is underway for a new four-story mixed-use cultural institution at 827-829 Kearny Street in Chinatown, San Francisco. The structure has topped out, with facade installation underway. The project, sponsored by the Marchese Company, will become an expansion to an existing Buddhist temple, the Buddha’s Universal Church.
The 40th tallest skyscraper in the Bay Area planned or built is the Hartford Building at 650 California Street. The office building is in San Francisco’s Financial District and Chinatown, rising 466 feet above the street. The modernist tower was among the first in a wave that establishes San Francisco’s urban core as we know it today. It faced fierce opposition from many locals, leading then-mayor George Christopher to tell the SF Chronicle in 1962, “Our city is getting a reputation among investors of perhaps encouraging too much opposition. They feel they have to satisfy not only legalities but the artistic whims of the community.” The Hartford Building became the tallest building in San Francisco when Hartford Insurance completed it in 1964.
The San Francisco Examiner has reported that the SFMTA Board of Directors expects major infrastructure work to be completed by March 31st for the city’s new Central Subway Project. The project is a 1.7-mile extension of the Muni Metro light rail’s T Third Line, adding four new light rail stations from SoMa to Chinatown, three of which will be underground. The existing light rail system has seven lines stopping at 120 different locations. The Central Subway Project has been in the works since the Federal Transit Administration approved preliminary engineering in 2002. The four stations are expected to begin operation in the Spring of 2022.
The Planning Commission will review plans for the construction of a six-story mixed-use building at 1324-1326 Powell Street in Chinatown, San Francisco. The development will bring 17 units to a parcel containing a vacant structure. The city staff recommendation is for the planning commission to approve the project. Mahmoud Larizadeh is responsible for the development as the property owner.
Construction permits have been submitted for new construction at 842 California Street in San Francisco. The project proposal includes the demolition and removal of four existing structures on the site. The four structures include two single-family homes, one three-unit residential apartment building, and one commercial building. Cass Calder Smith Architecture + Interiors is the architect managing the design and construction of the project.
