Character and Housing Take Center Stage in Revamp

SAN FRANCISCO—Following California Pacific Medical Center/Sutter Health’s opening of its new hospital on Van Ness Avenue, demolition of the majority of the old facility buildings will give way to redevelopment of the CPMC Presidio Heights campus at 3700 California. The redevelopment will transform the CPMC campus from a large-scale hospital to a single family and multifamily residential project envisioned by Robert A.M. Stern Architects, known for designing contextually appropriate residential buildings.

Mixed-use developer TMG Partners and Grosvenor Americas, a privately owned property investment and development company, have entered into a partnership for the project. The CPMC site represents Grosvenor’s fourth residential project in San Francisco in recent years and TMC is a prolific developer throughout the Bay Area.

“We have a unique opportunity to partner with Grosvenor, a world-class property company with a proven track record in developing extraordinary housing projects,” said Matt Field, chief investment officer of TMG Partners. “We look forward to creating a seamless transition from the existing medical campus to a series of traditionally designed buildings focused on family housing that has always been at the core of this neighborhood.”

Robert A.M. Stern Architects’ vision proposes a collection of buildings inspired by different aspects of the city’s architectural history and the fabric of the surrounding residential neighborhood, including traditionally designed residences in buildings ranging from three to seven stories. The new building heights will range from approximately 35 to 80 feet, with the tallest new buildings being shorter than the tallest existing hospital buildings. Indeed, the new buildings will be less obtrusive in height and remain in keeping with the neighborhood character.

“We are committed to crafting exceptional buildings to not only complement, but honor the history and character of this storied neighborhood,” says Steve Buster, senior vice president of development for Grosvenor Americas.

In the early summer of 2015, TMG Partners, CPMC and the visioning advisory committee distributed an online survey to more than 500 residents who live in the neighborhoods surrounding the property. Some 315 survey responses were received online and in hard copy form, GlobeSt.com learns.

The findings included high levels of support for new high-quality housing for families, seniors and couples including condominiums, move up or down buyers and luxury housing as well as a strong desire to have all new land uses parked on-site. And, there was a strong desire for new development to be consistent with the quality and character of the existing neighborhood architecture.

“TMG worked with the neighbors and neighborhood groups in order to refine a vision for a design that integrates with the surrounding neighborhood–from architecture to a mix of single family and multifamily homes,” Field tells GlobeSt.com. “We are pleased that our shared vision will replace the former hospital buildings on the site with buildings and uses which are consistent with the neighborhood.”

The project also involves the conversion of the Marshall Hale building at 3698 California and retention of the 401 Cherry apartment building. All told, there will be construction of up to 37 new buildings and below-grade parking.

The 273 homes will be broken out into 14 single-family homes and 259 multifamily homes. All are oriented towards family housing, with more than 80% of units having two or more bedrooms.

“The demand for housing continues to rise across the Bay Area and this neighborhood in particular is very attractive to families. We are looking forward to being able to address that need by implementing RAMSA’s thoughtful design of multifamily and single-family homes,” Buster tells GlobeSt.com.

Grosvenor Americas has been active in the Bay Area for more than 40 years and continues to own, manage and develop properties in iconic San Francisco neighborhoods.”