The design objective for 855 Front Street was a complete renovation and restoration of an 1855 warehouse building—one of the last Gold Rush era buildings remaining in San Francisco. The newly updated warehouse, which is registered as a San Francisco landmark, is located in the North Beach neighborhood and bounded by Front, Vallejo, Battery, and Pacific Streets.
The project consists of approximately 16,000 square feet of tenant improvement space on three floors—two above grade and a basement level. Redesigned as a workplace for a venture capital firm, the new space provides enclosed private offices, open workspace, collaboration zones, and a variety of amenities, including an incubator/start-up space for brainstorming, and a speakeasy bar in the basement.
The historic building, which was previously neglected and underutilized after surviving several earthquakes, has been given a second life with a redesign that strategically utilizes the building’s brick and timber interiors, complemented by thoughtful preservation of the historic façade, steel window stiles, and doors.
Photography: Fotoworks: Benny Chan
855 Front Street
Category
Work - Small
Description
Location: San Francisco, California
Design Team: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP Suzanne Kisbye Design