2353%20Lombard.jpg

A long suffering space for a slew of failed restaurants, the one-story building at 2353 Lombard between Pierce and Scott will be razed and a four-story building with 21 residential units over 2,700 square feet of commercial space will be constructed on the site if approved.

2353%20Lombard%20Rendering.gif

The proposed mix of units includes three one-bedrooms of around 700 square feet and eighteen two-bedrooms ranging in size from 1,138 to 1,264 square feet. And with plans to pay an in-lieu fee rather than include any below market rate (BMR) units in the building, the entire development will be market rate.

The entrance to the building’s 28 space garage would be from both Lombard and behind. A 2,500 square foot roof deck would serve as the development’s common open space:

2353%20Lombard%20Roof%20Deck.gif

On the agenda for San Francisco’s Planning Commission next week, the Planning Department recommends the project be approved as proposed.

34 thoughts on “From Failed Bites To Building Up On Lombard Street A Bit”
  1. Only 4 stories? Really? I’m not pushing for a tower here, but come on, it could be 6 stories, if not the entire building, then a good chunk of it. Balconies facing Lombard? Are you kidding me? Between the noise and pollution they will not be used.

  2. I guess Lombard is a place where uninspired buildings won’t exactly be out of place, but this building wouldn’t look out of place next to a Sunnyvale L-shaped mini-mall.
    That said, better than what is there now.

  3. To call this “uninspired” would be to compliment it.
    Really, how much time and thought went into this?
    10 minutes? Is such a low level of design caused by
    budget, zoning, or just sloth?

  4. I always look forward to hearing about development on both, Lombard and Geary… two hugely under developed east/west corridors in the city. Though I think these areas could use some additional height/density, I completely understand why they aren’t going taller here (views from south on the hill, etc.)

  5. Considering that they don’t allow bay windows on the street I Think the design is Great! Love the wood! Why the city doesn’t allow 6 stories heard is beyond me. I mean come on, it’s on a major street in SF with great transit and all the Tech busses stop on this block every morning!

  6. Why the hell not? Why should SOMA, Upper Market, Dogpatch, and the Mission have the exclusive rights to godawful new construction?
    Spread the ugly!

  7. at least theres enough parking.. lombard is an eyesore and this is better than whats there. nothing higher is going to get put in this area, but at least they could make it a little more pretty

  8. Too high. Look at this block right now…there is the one story restaurant, the vacant lot, across the street is all one story buildings. There is only one building this size on this block, and everybody I know is constantly talking about what an eyesore it is. I would be OK with the size if it was all BMR housing, but not if we are just building overscaled monstrosities to cater to the tech 1% elite…
    The Marina used to be a haven for the middle class before the earthquake, and the tech money has absolutely destroyed affordability over time. Would love to see this proposal downscaled or made entirely BMR to show them that this city will not stand for their form of capitalistic greed any longer!

  9. What an improvement to the area and Lombard Street. I love the contemporary design for a mid-block building. San Francisco needs all the new housing it can get. Why didn’t they try to get more housing units on a transit corridor?

  10. I’m assuming the “Hawkins” comment is satire. If not, look at what’s right next door in the photo/rendering: 4 stories. And how do you think we cap rising housing costs if not by increasing supply as much as we can?
    This building certainly will be “contextual”. It looks like all the mid-century motels around it. I totally agree with those who suggest the architects and designers spent maybe 10 minutes on it. Actually, I suspect they took the plans out of a paperback available in the checkout line at Home depot.

  11. “Would love to see this proposal downscaled or made entirely BMR to show them that this city will not stand for their form of capitalistic greed any longer!”
    the capitalism and influx of money is making SF better, not worse. I personally dont see why we would put BMR housing in an area that would command such premiums. the taxes and in-lieu fee are more usable for supporting poverty programs

  12. Not exactly where I would want to live, but 4 stories fits the area, and its hard to argue against more housing to take some pressure off of existing stock.

  13. Not only is this building an expression of capitalism — indeed of running dog capitalists — but it has enough parking for automobiles, those unrelievedly evil machines that are opposed of what all good comrades of the Party.
    Do you not agree that the appropriate disposition for the architect and developer is the same as that given to the uncle of Kim?

  14. @ moto mayhem – Well, we will have to agree to disagree. Your definition of “better” is clearly very different than mine.
    @ BTinSF – Only on this site would an objection to a giant glass bunker be deemed as satire.

  15. @JosephA: 21 market rate units in one of the most expensive areas of the city isn’t going to even register, much less take off any pressure.
    SF will never again be affordable. NYC too. For those who wail that the middle class has been driven out the harsh reality is that soon there will no longer be a middle class period.

  16. @BTinSF I couldn’t agree with you more. Plus I think the developer will have to pay over $1.5 million for the in-lieu alone! That could surely be put to go use around the city to help create more affordable housing.

  17. I’m not sure this should be any higher. Transit connections are ok, but not great. It’s easy to get around the Marina/Cow Hollow, but really hard to go anywhere else except by Google Bus.
    I would be in favor of 4 stories all along Lombard, but too much higher wouldn’t make as much sense.
    And yeah, facing Lombard would be awful. Loud, polluted, etc.

  18. The Seventies are back! Must be due to that new Abscam movie coming out soon. But seriously I do agree on the lower height Four stories is good neighborhood preservation on Lombard Street.

  19. Thank God we’re going to get some new units in the Marina! All the development has been focused in other parts of the city. I live this area and I think this project will really improve the Lombard corridor. Is there a picture of the entry?

  20. A north-facing balcony is pointless even when there’s not a busy, noisy, ugly, dirty highway below.

  21. I think the design’s perfectly fine – would be curious to see what all you armchair architects have in mind. This fits well with the 50s architecture along Lombard; in fact it could be fun if the City designated that era of design as a preferred form for Lombard – kitschy fun.
    And although I’d like to see 6 stories along many major boulevards, I think 4 here makes sense given the low height of Marina construction (and the need to preclude NIMBYs complaining about their views going away).

  22. It’s not going to win any awards, but it’s not that bad, it’s certainly better than what’s there now. I would like to see it be 1-3 stories higher, but I can live with it as is…

  23. This is my neighborhood and I’m glad to see something being done with that spot. It’s not at all out of line with other local building heights – there are plenty 3-4 story structures within a stone’s throw of this site.
    And as for why it’s not taller, just remember that this area is landfill. Plus making it taller than 3-4 stories would definitely not fit in with the local building heights.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *