L Seven Apartments and Lofts

Location: San Francisco, CA
Developer: Fairfield Residential Company LLC
Completion: July 2017

L Seven is an entire city block of 410 rental apartments, plus commercial, retail, office and PDR (Production, Distribution, Repair) space in San Francisco’s SoMa district. Several factors influenced the design of the buildings and each was driven by extensive interaction with the Western SoMa Task Force and the broader community. Our over-arching goal throughout our six year community outreach effort was to have the new development complement the existing South of Market buildings, by both respecting what came before us and fitting into the existing built context.

Located on a former bus lot, this 3.5 acre site consists of seven buildings with a new one-way drive that loops around the interior of the site. The 410 units are a mix of flats, lofts, flex units and two story townhomes. Residents will have exclusive access to multiple roof decks, a community lounge and kitchen, dog run, fitness facility, and conference center. The basement garage provides residential parking for 334 cars, 415 bicycles, and a combination of spaces exclusively for compact, electric and car-share. This central location provides multiple transportation options including pedestrian, bicycle, and automotive access to employment and entertainment options throughout the City as well as into Silicon Valley and the East Bay.

More than 20,000 square feet of publicly accessible open space is provided throughout the site. Restaurants, retail, a cafe and a pocket public park engage and enhance the pedestrian streetscape. Ringold Alley will feature numerous public art installations, commemorating the history of the area. At the intersection of 9th and Ringold, an etched granite marker will feature a replica of Chuck Arnett’s famous Tool Box Mural (1962) providing a brief history of the neighborhood’s cultural history. Other elements that will provide visual and historical interest include painted sidewalks and crosswalks, short granite curbstone pillars and bronze footprints set into the sidewalk.

The development successfully achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification.

Landscape Architect: Miller Company
General Contractor: James E. Roberts-Obayashi
Photo Credits: Bruce Damonte and Miller Company.