A Social Centerpiece for San Francisco’s Mid-Market
Spanning along Market Street between 9th and 10th Streets, Market Commons is situated at the junction of many of San Francisco’s cultural neighborhoods. It occupies the northern edge of SOMA’s commercial district and sits across San Francisco’s City Hall and Civic Center. Market Commons provides a new type of privately owned public space in the middle of a transforming neighborhood to serve city residents, building tenants and tourists alike. The site consists of two office and retail buildings and public/private open space. The 24,000 square foot pedestrian alley is designed as an unfolding sequence of experiences. Paths, plazas, and walkways are defined in concrete paving and wood decks, while interior program spills through large doors on to an elevated building apron. Areas of 100% recycled artificial turf provide additional flexible use areas that serve the adjacent gym events. The open, flexible gathering central plaza and lawns welcome intimate lunch meetings as well as large gatherings and events for tenants, market patrons and the public.
The redeveloped alleyway has served as the catalyst for the resurgence of San Francisco’s Mid-Market area. Through many years of neglect, the Mid-Market neighborhood has suffered from blight and decay – the Commons creates a centerpiece – a social hub, knitting the block together.
