Pier 70 is a giant 28-acre neighborhood in the works along the waterfront next to the Dogpatch, and we’re starting to see some impressive new changes. In fact, the historic Building 12 completed its renovation in December and is already hosting exhibitions. On the rest of the site, plans are underway to add residential units, office space, retail and arts space, and new waterfront parks.
The 3-phase project broke ground in 2018 and has an estimated completion date between 2025-2028. It’s being developed by Brookfield Properties in partnership with the Port of San Francisco, with the goal of creating a natural extension of the Dogpatch. The first of three phases has already been completed, and the site has welcomed new curbs, sidewalks, street paving, furnishings, utilities, and sea-level rise precautions.
Building 12, a football-size steel building once used for constructing ships during WWII, has been completely renovated. It recently hosted its first exhibition, kicking off its new role as a space for city events, artisan retail, and more.
Building 15’s 210-foot-long steel frame has been preserved as a signature feature above the 22nd Street extension. Building 2 and Building 21, along with a new waterfront building, will host up to 2,150 residential units “across the spectrum of availability,” up to 1.75 million square feet of office space, and up to 240,000 square feet of retail, arts, and industrial space.
The project will also create 9 acres of waterfront parks and open space, with pedestrian-oriented streets and sea level rise protections in mind throughout the design.
Pier 70 is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Union Iron Works Historic District, and the site served ship repair operations all the way back in 1898 during the Spanish American War. During WWII, Building 12 and the historic slipways were used for fabricating warships. The BART Transbay Tube was also constructed there.
The new neighborhood is still in the works, but the site is already hosting events and public artist spaces. Be sure to keep up with their events calendar for an opportunity to see this new corner of San Francisco in action!
Featured image: Photo by Jeriden Villegas