Oceanwide Center, San Francisco

In May 2016, Oceanwide Center in San Francisco, designed by Foster + Partners, received permission from the Planning Commission. The project is a part of the Transbay development plan to provide increased density in the SOMA area.

The 2.3 million sq. ft development comprises two mixed-use towers:

• Mission Street Tower (605 ft) accommodating a hotel and residences.
• Office and residential tower along First Street (850 ft).

The aim is to reflect both the existing scale of the area and provide a significant amount of new hotel, office and residential spaces in the downtown neighbourhood. The project features new public spaces and important pedestrian connections designed to support increased density, while also restoring and revitalising two historic buildings.

At ground level, the buildings are open, accessible and transparent, and have been ‘lifted up’ by almost five storeys to provide a new ‘urban room’ for the region. This space is crisscrossed by pedestrian routes that are an extension of the historic streets and alleyways in the area.

With an area of 22,000 sq. ft, this is a substantial addition to the public realm in the area, and has been created by locating the building’s service core towards one edge, freeing the large span space for the public. The project will also have a wide-ranging programme of art installations throughout the public spaces.

Groundbreaking is scheduled for November 2016.

Stefan Behling, Senior Executive Partner, Foster + Partners said, “We are delighted that our plans for the new Oceanwide Center have received planning permission. This development will be the new exemplar of urban living with exciting places to live and work right alongside the central transport hub. The new ‘urban room’ at ground level with pedestrian routes cutting across the site will catalyse the public realm in the neighbourhood, with shops, cafes and green spaces for residents and employees to enjoy.”

Images and content courtesy of Foster + Partners.

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