With the opening of the new anderson collection at Stanford in September, and the highly anticipated new SFMOMA and Berkeley Art Museum buildings set to open in 2016, arts development in the Bay Area is booming. Feeling the zeitgeist, arts districts are coalescing as well, making several Bay Area neighborhoods particularly worthy of the gaze.
In Dogpatch, the San Francisco Museum of Craft and Design moved into its beautifully renovated Third Street building in 2013. Visual arts impresario Ann Hatch’s burgeoning shop, Workshop Residence, calls 22nd Street home. And now, development is about to begin on the Dogpatch Arts Plaza at 19th and Indiana, an 8,000-square-foot public gathering space that will feature rotating art installations and a small amphitheater. Ascending next to the plaza is a collaborative development of two buildings by two separate architects: 680 Indiana by Pfau Long Architects and 660 Indiana by Kennerly Architecture & Planning. Plans for the 111 units were just approved in June, so it will be a while before the project reaches completion, but it is a great example of how to integrate diverse architecture within a development. “No place is evolving as dramatically as the Dogpatch,” says the Museum of Craft and Design’s executive director, JoAnn Edwards. “It’s a really energizing area.”
Potrero Hill, home to the Design Center and California College of the Arts, is also a hotspot, thanks to a recent immigration of galleries. Hosfelt, Catharine Clark, Brian Gross and George Lawson all recently relocated to this corner of the city, and San Francisco’s contemporary art kunsthalle, the Wattis Institute, moved into its new Mark Jensen-designed space at 360 Kansas last year. An adjacent residential property, the Onyx at 17th and De Haro, is currently under its second phase of construction and will feature 21 condominiums with sleek, white, open kitchens and bathrooms. Sales start next summer. Handel Architects’ sharp 70-unit condominium building at 346 Potrero (above) is at least a couple of years out—plans were approved in August—but it’s one of the coolest looking projects we’ve seen.
Many artists and makers call the more-affordable but gritty environs of West Oakland home, and some of the East Bay’s most notable galleries—such as Johansson Projects and Chandra Cerrito—are clustered uptown. They’re also a major part of First Fridays, a giant, exuberant block party that takes place every month and includes the Art Murmur gallery crawl. Uptown has a few luxury rental developments, but if you’re looking to buy, keep an eye out for units in the area’s lovely historical buildings. A 2,100-square-foot, three-bedroom condo at the top of the 1914 Cathedral Building is currently on the market for $1.5 million. Meanwhile, the most interesting new development in this area is the Hive, a mixed-use project that will include the restoration of old brick buildings on Broadway Auto Row, as well as new construction (104 rental apartments will be hitting the market at the end of 2015).
Last is San Jose (yes, you read that right). “There is huge momentum in the arts here,” says architect Rob Steinberg, chairman of the San Jose city board of urban think-tank SPUR. The SoFA district is a small area downtown, anchored by the Institute of Contemporary Art. Currently under construction here is the Pierce (above), a development of 230 rental apartments designed by Steinberg Architects, which will have common spaces that can be readily adapted for art exhibits. Think of the area as an emerging landscape.
Completely Floored in Pac Heights
Apartment #1 at 2000 Washington Street, one of San Francisco’s best co-op buildings, occupies a full floor—4,400 square feet of space—and commands sensational views of the Bay. The recently renovated three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom apartment has elegant Palladian windows, a private deck, three-car parking and its own private entrance. Janet Feinberg Schindler with Sotheby’s has the $8,200,000 listing.
top of the hill
Lofty unit #1303 in Nob Hill’s Cathedral Hill Towers offers a direct view of the Golden Gate Bridge and other jaw-dropping panoramas. The 1927 co-op building was designed by Weeks and Day Architects, of the Mark Hopkins and Huntington Hotel. Its newly remodeled two-bedroom/two-bathroom apartment has exceptionally detailed interiors that feature architectural moldings, wrap-around marble kitchen countertops and a marble-lined master bathroom. It’s offered at $1,950,000 by Joel Goodrich with Coldwell Banker Previews.
Gold coast gem
An extraordinary property sited on the premier corner lot of Pacific Heights’ Gold Coast, 2701 Broadway was originally built in 1910. The elegant Neoclassical residence and gardens were completely transformed in 2002: The home’s 16,400-square-foot floor plan extends over five levels (all accessible by elevator) and includes seven bedrooms, seven full bathrooms, four half-bathrooms, multiple living spaces, offices and kitchens, and several rooftop terraces. With its private gardens and expansive views, 2701 is the ultimate San Francisco address. The listing is with Neal Ward of McGuire. (price upon request).
Seacliff Stunner
Built in 1924, the Mediterranean-style home at 549 El Camino del Mar is a stunning example of traditional architecture coupled with truly spectacular views. The four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom home has been renovated to feature the latest in smart-home technology and, should you ever tire of taking in the vistas from its several decks, it has a media room. It’s offered by Barbara J. Callan and Robert R. Callan, Jr. with McGuire for $6,390,000.
Into the woods
This modern four-bedroom, five-and-a-half-bathroom home at 560 Summit Avenue is tucked away on more than an acre of land amidst the wooded slopes of Mill Valley. Crisp contemporary interiors—featuring a sleek open kitchen and spa-like bathroom—are complemented by modern landscaping and outdoor spaces. It is offered for $5,879,000 by Ed Deleski with Vanguard Properties.
channeling frank lloyd wright
Set in the charming beach town of Capitola, 1570 Prospect Avenue has its own architectural charm. Built in 2008, the four-bedroom, five-and-a-half-bathroom home was designed in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright and the Prairie School with exposed wood beams, a copper shingle roof and quarter-sawn oak floors. The handcrafted spaces also frame dramatic white-water views. The $8 million listing is with Carol Jeans of the Sereno Group.
Private Preserve
This 8,200-square-foot Spanish-Revival-style estate is located on 15 acres within the Santa Lucia Preserve, just inland from Carmel. The five-bedroom, five-bathroom (and six fireplace) home is also centered around a serene travertine patio with a fountain, pool and spa. The home at 6 Wild Boar Run is listed at $8,950,000 by the Preserve Land Company.
Renaissance Revival
On a prime corner of Pacific Heights, billy and Vanessa Getty’s residence at 2900 Vallejo combines elegant historic architecture with light-filled spaces and a modern kitchen and bathrooms. Built in 1912, the remodeled Renaissance Revival mansion is 8,675 square feet and features four bedrooms, five full bathrooms, three half-bathrooms and a four-car garage. A lavish master suite features separate his-and-hers bathrooms and dressing rooms, and the top-level family room has a terrace with a panorama that includes a glorious view of the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s offered for just under $16 million by Neal Ward with McGuire.
