1301 16th StreetRendering: Workshop1

Potrero Flats, the 7-story mixed-use project at 1301 16th Street, is under plan review and expected to move forward to the San Francisco Planning Commission in the coming months.

From developer and architect Workshop1, the proposal includes plans for an approximately 202,500-square-foot project with 234 residences comprised of studios to three-bedroom apartments. Plans feature 3,920 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor, two bike stations with a 264-bicycle capacity, and approximately 106 car parking spaces.

The project site is located in the larger Showplace Square/Potrero Hill Plan Area is zoned for Urban Mixed Use (UMU). This land use is intended to act as a transition between residential areas and Production, Distribution and Repair (PDR), a light industrial-zoned district. The planning department projects that this plan area, along with the three eastern neighborhoods of SoMa, Central Waterfront, and Mission will see 7,500 to 10,000 new housing units in the next 20 years.

Workshop1 has been proactive with the community in the planning stages. Earlier this year the project was endorsed by the San Francisco Housing Action Coalition (SFHAC). SFHAC indicated that the proposed development could replace an under-utilized industrial site and that the project is within SFHAC’s mission of “increasing the supply of well-designed, well-located housing in San Francisco.” The affordable housing component and unit mix of family-sized apartments were also favorable.

UMU housing affordability requirements are higher than the city standards. 1301 16th Street is considered a Tier B project and is required to include 16 percent below market rate units onsite. The city’s affordable housing standard requirements are 12 percent if built onsite. The project currently meets the city’s requirement providing 40 percent of units with at least 2-bedrooms.

Back in July, Kaiser pulled their proposal for being part of a 700,000 square foot project at 16th and Mississippi, a few blocks east of 1301 16th Street, moved their plans to Mission Bay to be developed with less cost, time and opposition. That project would have included 189 residential units and about 27,000 square feet of commercial retail space.

Should Portola Flats be approved, it will offer ample open space, a large courtyard on the second level and a rooftop deck. Wisconsin and Carolina Streets will be aligned with 10 townhouse-style units. The proposed building design is modern with with contrasting masses of glass and cementitious panels with a wood grain finish, and patio between panels.

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