A Guide to San Francisco's 2025 Development

Sydney Winstead • May 20, 2025

Built in the Bay: Tracking San Francisco’s Growth and Transformation




Tanforan Mall Redevelopment: A Fork in the Road – Jobs or Housing?




The redevelopment of San Bruno’s Tanforan Mall presents two distinct paths: one that prioritizes jobs and another focused on housing. Both proposals envision transforming the 44-acre site, but they offer vastly different futures for the city.


One plan, backed by developers Alexandria Real Estate and Strada Investment Group, envisions creating nearly 2,500 permanent jobs by focusing on life sciences and research and development (R&D) space. With 1.8 million square feet of lab space, the project promises a significant boost to the local economy, providing opportunities for workers who currently commute from surrounding areas.


The alternative proposal offers up to 1,514 new housing units, creating a space for residents to live near Caltrain and major transit lines. This would offer a solution to the growing housing shortage in the Bay Area, with a focus on affordable housing close to jobs and public transportation.


Both plans have their advantages. The life sciences-heavy version would create permanent jobs while maintaining some retail, such as Target and the Century theater, though it would demolish over 785,000 square feet of retail space to make way for modern developments. The housing plan, however, focuses on addressing the affordable housing crisis in San Bruno and offers a more residential future for the area.


As city officials assess these plans, they’ll have to balance the need for job creation against the growing demand for housing. The project’s location, with direct access to BART and SamTrans, makes it an ideal spot for both new businesses and new residents. Whether the city moves toward life sciences or housing, one thing is clear: Tanforan is set to undergo a major transformation in the coming years.


Read More Here!


 Oakland School for the Arts to Expand into Historic Dufwin Theater

Oakland School for the Arts (OSA) is set to expand its campus by acquiring the historic Dufwin Theater at 519 17th Street — just a block from its current home at the Fox Theater in Uptown. The move gives the school much-needed classroom space as it continues to grow and outpaces its current footprint.


OSA will begin occupying the basement, ground floor, and fifth floor of the building, with plans to renovate other levels over time. The deal, currently in escrow, is expected to close by the end of the academic year.


Executive Director Mike Oz envisions creating an “arts corridor” along Telegraph Avenue, blending education, performance, and community engagement. Plans also include a storefront at the Fox Theater for a student-run radio station, merch shop, and record label.


In honor of late alum Angus Cloud, the school will also help develop a nearby community park featuring a skate park, soccer field, and more — turning underused space into vibrant community hubs.


“We’re not just staying, we’re doubling down,” Oz said. “We want to flip the narrative and lead by example.”


 Read More Here!



Prologis Proposes Massive Housing Plan at San Francisco Caltrain Railyards


Big plans are in the works for San Francisco’s Caltrain station at Fourth and King. Prologis has announced early plans to transform the 20-acre railyard site into a major transit-oriented neighborhood, including 1,500 to 4,000 new homes.


If approved, the 7-million-square-foot development would be one of the largest housing additions near a major transit hub in the city — second only to the Transbay Terminal. The vision includes high-rise towers (one reaching 850 feet!!), office space, parks, restaurants, a new transit station, and public open space.


This future Central SoMa development aims to bring connection and a vibrant  face to one of the city’s most underused sites, linking Mission Bay, SoMa, and key transit lines like Caltrain and Muni. It also comes at a time when San Francisco faces a  housing shortage and increased pressure to build near transit due to new laws such as SB 79.


Prologis says affordability will be part of the plan, though details are still in progress. City leaders are already urging the developer to make sure the homes are accessible to all income levels.


The project is still in early stages, with formal plans expected later this year and approvals likely years away. But one thing is clear — San Francisco is reimagining what its future neighborhoods could look like, and housing near transit is at the center of it all.


Read More Here!



Exciting News for Fillmore Street 🎥


The long-awaited renovation of the historic 112 year old Clay Theater is finally underway, with plans for its return as a single-screen theater! 🎥


Once complete, the theater will feature 200 seats and host over 500 film screenings annually. The renovation is being led by Cody Allen as part of the Upper Fillmore Revitalization Project, with the support of investor Neil Mehta and local donations. Architect firms Page & Turnbull, Min Design, and the Perron-Roettinger design studio are all contributing to this transformative project.


Ted Gerike, who founded Now Instant and led digital content for Metrograph in New York, will direct the Clay, aiming to make it a hub for local voices and global cinema. The project will include 4K digital projection, 35mm film capabilities, enhanced acoustics, and meet modern safety standards. 


A new chapter for Fillmore Street begins today, with the Clay Theater set to be a key part of its cultural and creative revitalization. Can't wait to see this historic space reimagined! 


Learn More Here!

Bay Area Realtor Proposes Transformative Housing Project in San Mateo, Signaling Major Residential Expansion



A Bay Area realtor, Zach Trailer, is proposing to redevelop a 75-year-old apartment complex in San Mateo into a modern six-story housing project. His plan includes demolishing a 39-unit building and replacing it with 162 contemporary units, 15% of which would be reserved for lower-income households. This marks a significant increase in density, more than quadrupling the number of housing units, and adding open space and amenities like co-working areas.


The project is part of a broader expansion in San Mateo, which is undergoing its largest residential growth in decades. Following the passage of Measure T in 2024, which lifted height and density limits, over 3,700 new homes are in the works. However, the city still needs to zone for 7,015 new homes by 2031. Despite growing momentum, challenges like high interest rates and tariffs may hinder progress.


Trailer’s project is notable because it replaces an existing apartment complex, potentially with lower rents, which could spark debates over balancing housing growth with protections for current renters. The shift reflects a broader trend where even older housing complexes are being considered for redevelopment.


$540.5M Multifamily Deal Signals Growing Investor Confidence in Bay Area Real Estate Market

A Los Angeles-based investor, PCCP LLC, has made waves in the Bay Area with a $540.5 million acquisition of a 1,770-unit multifamily portfolio across San Francisco and Oakland. This marks one of the largest multifamily transactions in San Francisco since the pandemic and signals a stronger appetite for Bay Area assets.


The acquisition includes 76 apartment buildings, with 66 in San Francisco and 10 in Oakland, purchased from Veritas Investments and Ivanhoe Cambridge. These properties were initially acquired for nearly $750 million between 2018-2021, but PCCP’s purchase values the portfolio at approximately $305,000 per unit, about 30% lower than previous investments.


Why it matters:

  • This is the largest San Francisco multifamily deal of 2025 so far and shows growing optimism for recovery in the Bay Area’s real estate sector.
  • San Francisco’s rent growth has been accelerating, now among the fastest in the U.S., signaling an uptick in market confidence post-pandemic.
  • PCCP’s investment adds to a growing number of institutional players betting on the city’s comeback, joining firms like Fortress Investment Group and Artemis Real Estate Partners.
  • Meanwhile, Oakland continues its early-stage recovery, with new construction deals seeing deep discounts.


PCCP, now one of the larger multifamily investors in San Francisco, will retain Veritas Investments as the property manager. This partnership continues Veritas’ prominent role in the city, despite the loss of a separate, large portfolio earlier this year.


As investor confidence grows, both cities continue to provide opportunities for savvy investors looking to capitalize on multifamily real estate at favorable pricing. Read More Here!



San Francisco’s Pier 29 Set to Become a Thriving Hub for Artists and Creatives


Big news for the Bay Area arts scene — Pier 29 is getting a brand-new palette as San Francisco’s largest artist studio and exhibition space, thanks to an exciting partnership between the San Francisco Port Commission and Community Arts Stabilization Trust (CAST).


In a unanimous decision, the Port Commission officially greenlit the lease agreement that will transform the historic waterfront pier into a vibrant cultural playground. Think artist residencies, public exhibitions, immersive workshops, and creative programs designed to breathe new life into the Embarcadero. After years of underuse since the 2013 America’s Cup, the waterfront is finally getting its artistic spark back.


"Our arts and culture are driving San Francisco’s comeback," said Mayor Daniel Lurie, celebrating the move as a win not just for artists but for the entire city. The project aims to draw locals and visitors alike to a waterfront destination buzzing with creativity.


At the heart of the project is CAST’s vision for reclaiming underutilized spaces for community use. CEO Ken Ikeda shared that Pier 29 is just the beginning — a model for how neglected spaces across the Bay Area (and beyond) can be reimagined for artists and cultural organizations.


One particularly exciting piece of this project is Art + Water, a residency program co-led by renowned author and educator Dave Eggers alongside JD Beltran. Their program will offer affordable six-month residencies where artists can both create and teach, addressing the urgent need for accessible studio spaces and affordable art education in San Francisco.


Pier 29 will feature a  47,000-square-foot indoor event space and a 23,000-square-foot outdoor area, making it one of the most ambitious arts projects on the West Coast. Plans include free public performances, hands-on workshops, and a walk-in gallery where visitors can experience art being made — and even take a piece of the city’s creativity home.


In a time when the Bay Area's artists are constantly battling rising costs and shrinking studio spaces, this transformation of Pier 29 signals opportunity and a recommitment to the arts as the heart of San Francisco.


Stay tuned — Pier 29 is about to become one of the city's brightest cultural beacons!



👋🏻 Bye Bye BART?


BART is considering selling five parcels of land, totaling 235 acres in the East Bay, to help address its budget shortfall caused by decreased ridership during the pandemic. The properties, located in Livermore, Hercules, and Brentwood, are deemed surplus due to changing priorities. BART plans to offer the land to affordable housing developers first, per the Surplus Lands Act. If no developers are interested, the land may be auctioned or listed with a broker. The sales, aimed at closing a budget gap, would need approval from BART's Board of Directors. The parcels, purchased 50 years ago, were initially intended for system expansions, though their sale may affect future projects like the Valley Link Rail. BART estimates the sales could be completed within 2-5 years.



🏢 San Francisco's Plan for 36,000 New Homes


San Francisco’s Planning Department has just rolled out a new rezoning plan to make space for 36,200 new homes, mostly in areas like the Sunset and Richmond districts that have been resistant to development in the past. The plan is a response to state housing requirements, as the city needs to add 82,069 new units by 2031. The zoning changes will allow taller buildings along commercial streets, like 85-foot buildings in the Sunset and Richmond, with incentives for developers to include affordable housing.


This shift marks a big change for San Francisco, especially on the Westside, which has seen much lower density compared to the rest of the city. Some areas, like Van Ness Avenue, could see buildings as tall as 650 feet with bonuses for adding affordable units.


While the plan aims to address the city’s housing crisis, some worry about the impact on tenants, particularly those in low-income housing or small businesses. The city says it has protections in place for residents, but it's unclear what protections commercial tenants will have.

This rezoning is just one piece of the puzzle, though. San Francisco isn’t responsible for actually building the 82,069 units—it’s up to private developers, who are facing high construction costs and stagnant rents. Still, the city hopes that by creating room for growth, it can keep up with demand while preserving its unique vibe. Read more here.





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