This new, six-story modular residential development is located between Mission Street and Stevenson Street in the SOMA district of San Francisco. The project provides permanent studio apartments for 256 individuals experiencing chronic homelessness–with 103 units earmarked for seniors and 153 units designed for adults.

The three contiguous building components constructed on a former city parking lot shape two internal ground level landscaped courtyards. Each courtyard is dedicated for the exclusive use of either adults or seniors living in the development. Both of the internal courtyards are open to the West and are secured by the adjacent 7th Circuit Federal Courthouse building with new decorative fencing rising above a historic masonry property line wall. An accessible public pedestrian mews is landscaped tying Mission Street to Jessie Street and features interventions designed by artists Leah Rosenberg and Michael Arcega recalling the Filipino heritage of the local community.  

The Senior Courtyard is landscaped with both flowering and evergreen trees, native shrubs, and drought tolerant groundcover. Permeable pavement is designed throughout the space as a component of the overall stormwater management of the development. The courtyard is designed for social use with spaces dedicated for both group gathering  and individual contemplation. Seniors can enjoy gardening in accessible raised beds, outdoor dining, and celebrations of community events. 

The Adult Courtyard’s design is a meandering composition, free flowing in character.  Extensive plantings of colorful groundcover, fragrant shrubs, and  flowering trees are designed around a central cobble filled creek. Pedestrian bridges span the creek making a circuit for navigation along a permeable paved pathway. Benches are sited to enjoy the views across the garden and adults can enjoy gardening activities in accessible beds located in the sunny corner of the area.

A community health clinic [St. Anthony Foundation] is incorporated into the adult building. Streetscape upgrades on both Mission and Stevenson Streets were designed and coordinated with city agencies.

Awards
2023 CalGeo “Outstanding Project Award” in the Private-Medium Category
2023 National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies Award of Excellence in the Multifamily category



Completion Date: 2022
Client: Mercy Housing, Episcopal Community
Services of San Francisco
Subconsultants: Cahill Contractors, Langon
Engineering
Artists: Leah Rosenberg [colorful bench] and
Michael Arcega [entry gate]
MCLA Team: Jeffrey Miller, Maya Nagasaka