Drawing inspiration from Pier 70’s rich industrial history within the Union Iron Works National Historic District, and embracing the creative energy that exists in the adjacent Dogpatch neighborhood today, the plan transforms a dilapidated, inaccessible industrial waterfront into a new mixed-use neighborhood. The plan provides a dynamic vision that embraces both creativity and history, bringing texture and authenticity to a large-scale development. Complete with new housing, office, retail and active uses, the plan is anchored through a connected public realm.
The design builds on the historic arrangement of the site—tracing the craneway piers where ships were historically docked for repair—transforming what was once a utilitarian space into a new public park that connects the waterfront to the historic buildings. With deliberate variety, contrasts of scale, and sight lines from narrow openings between buildings into the expansive waterfront, the plan creates a rhythm of connected spaces and offers surprising moments of discovery.
Anchored by a historic warehouse rehabilitated as a makers’ market hall at Building 12, and a contemporary counterpart with a new dedicated arts and culture building in a prime location at the water, the “creative core” of the plan brings together the old and the new.
As an integral part of the vision, Building 12’s role in the placemaking process was kickstarted through hosting temporary events throughout the design process, allowing visitors and neighbors to experience the site firsthand and envision its future.
Along the waterfront, the San Francisco Bay Trail connects a network of parks to the north and south, and delivers a piece of the puzzle of San Francisco’s transformed new public frontier along the south-east waterfront.
As a model of infill urban growth, Pier 70 unlocks public access to both a new portion of the San Francisco waterfront and an important piece of national industrial history.
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