BIG SELECTED TO SPARK A NEW MID-MARKET ARTS BUILDING IN SAN FRANCISCO

BIG is chosen as the winner of 950-974 Market, a 446,000 sqf (ca. 42,000 sqm) mixed-use development including residences, retail, arts space and theaters in the heart of San Francisco’s Mid-Market neighborhood. The San Francisco-based real estate development company Group I is working closely with the City of San Francisco to establish a new Mid-Market Arts District and has selected BIG over international design firms OMA and Snøhetta, among others. 950-974 Market is BIG’s first Bay Area project.

“The selection of BIG, as our design partner, demonstrates the level of innovation and creativity we intend to bring to 950-974 Market in both its physical and conceptual forms,” said Joy Ou, President of Group I. “Group I and its team are attempting to answer the question: How do you bridge the gap between real estate development, urban design, technology, arts and nonprofits, and community space in a dense and evolving urban environment? 950-974 Market won’t be the only answer, but it is at the heart of the physical and philosophical intersection of these interests and may be one response to this important question.”

The site, which fronts both Market and Turk Streets, is an irregularly-shaped triangular piece of land which is currently home to vacant or underused buildings. The project is conceived as a synergy between the hotel, residential and cultural programs. The hotel and residences form two urban peaks interlocking at the ground to form a generous public space at their base – thereby maximizing sunlight in the space and creating a shared lobby which brings all of the site’s users together. Hollow at their core the two urban volumes overlap to create two indoor urban rooms – one for the theatres and one for the hotel guests. The building will have a strong façade and street presence on both Market and Turk to allow multiple points of entry.
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