S.F.'s Newest Mixed-Use, Resi Projects in Pipeline

Woods Bagot is a household name in other cities across the globe, and now the 1,000-person studio is upping its S.F. game just six years after planting an office at 228 Grant. The office, now at 65 people, just renewed and expanded its lease and exclusively tells Bisnow details for two incoming local projects (see below). Here are some heads of the local office: principal John Britton; principal and head of interiors Tamara White; global consulting leader Steve Hargis; director of development Jeremy Agraz; director Carsten Voecker; director of urban strategies Riki Nishimura; principal Terence Meurk; and exec chairman of North America Patrick Daly.

John says the firm has a focus on high-density residential, with the most current example the 109-unit Third Street Apartments at 19th Street. The Potrero Hill owner has long held the property as a family investment and recently started the development process. Right now that part of Third Street corridor isn't pedestrian-friendly, John says, so there will be an emphasis on "urban placemaking": active storefronts, engagement with the sidewalk and spaces to sit with landscaped breaks.

The Dogpatch Neighborhood Association applauded the owner's desire to liven up the street and green lighted the project in just two meetings--a real feat in S.F. The plan should be up before the Planning Commission Board in the next four months, with a potential construction start slated for this fall. A family ownership entity also tapped Woods Bagot to design a mixed-use project at 1200 Van Ness (we were the first to unveil the rendering this week). The project at the corner of Post will include a 265k SF residential, medical office and retail building. 

The owner bought the site more than 20 years ago and realizes the adjacent Cathedral Hill Hospital will significantly impact the neighborhood. The hope is to develop a complimentary healthcare center and social hub for physicians, healthcare workers and nurses with restaurants, retail and a fitness center (a 24-Hour Fitness is there now). Other high-profile residential projects on Woods Bagot's books include two towers for the long-awaited Parkmerced development and a high-rise luxury tower in LA.