The Transformation of the SoMa District in San Francisco

Source: archdaily.com

In 2009, the Uptown Tenderloin Historic District was created in an attempt to preserve the rich history of the buildings, neighborhoods and communities that lay north of San Francisco’s Market Street. It has not only kept developers from modifying or even eradicating key buildings that have shaped the city of San Francisco, but has also helped to prevent the process of gentrification, enabling middle and lower-class inhabitants to continue living in the city at reasonable rates. Although building projects north of Market Street are now heavily restricted, not all of San Francisco is off limits.

The San Francisco government had been planning a major transformation of the SoMa District up until the recession became too extreme to follow through with the original plans. The SoMa District was close to becoming home to many thousands of new residents who were to fill the handful of new residential high-rise towers planned for development. Government members even proposed an increase in the height limitations of buildings south of Market in preparation for the district’s transformation.

In fact, there has been renewed interest in SoMa properties from high-profile technology companies like Google and Zynga, both of which will soon be taking control of large office buildings in the district. -- ArchDaily