San Francisco’s housing landscape is about to undergo a significant transformation with a groundbreaking proposal for the former San Francisco Tennis Club site in SoMa. Residential developer Strada has unveiled plans to construct two towering residential complexes at 88 Bluxome Street, promising to deliver 1,500 much-needed housing units in the heart of the city.

The proposed development represents a dramatic shift from the original mixed-use project that stalled in 2020 after Pinterest withdrew its commitment. Now, instead of primarily office space, the site will feature two residential towers measuring 599 and 528 feet in height, offering a diverse mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units.

This project emerges in the wake of recent changes to the Central SoMa Plan, which now prioritizes housing over office development. The pandemic dramatically altered urban work dynamics, rendering previous office-centric plans less relevant. Strada’s proposal aligns perfectly with the city’s evolving housing needs.

The development will include 150 affordable housing units, qualifying for the state’s density bonus program. A third parcel of the property has been reserved for future affordable housing development, further addressing San Francisco’s ongoing housing crisis.

The site’s history is not without controversy. Previous developers faced criticism from the tennis community after reneging on promises to maintain tennis facilities. The Bay Club, which owned the original tennis club, has even filed a $17.5 million lawsuit against the previous developers.

As San Francisco continues to grapple with housing scarcity, this ambitious project represents a beacon of hope. By transforming a long-stalled property into a vibrant residential complex, Strada is not just building housing, they’re reimagining urban living in one of the city’s most dynamic neighborhoods.

The proposed development signals a promising trend: reimagining urban spaces to prioritize residential needs over commercial interests. For San Francisco’s housing-starved residents, this could be a game-changing moment.