Frequently Asked Questions

Who owns the existing Golden Gateway Tennis and Swim Club site?

The Golden Gateway Tennis and Swim Club property is owned by Golden Gateway Center; the Club is managed by Western Athletic Clubs (WAC). San Francisco Waterfront Partners LLC currently has an option to purchase the site.  

What will happen to the Tennis and Swim Club if the 8 Washington project is approved?

After renovation, it is intended that the recreation club would continue to be managed by Western Athletic Clubs (WAC). San Francisco Waterfront Partners is working with the club management to determine the ultimate programing for the Club. During the construction period, interim facilities would be in place for club members.

Is there a need for more housing in the area?

There continues to be an undersupply of housing throughout all of San Francisco. The citywide population is expected to increase by 27,800 people between 2005 and 2015. Housing production has not kept pace with population growth, resulting in the continual increase of housing costs. Moreover, the City needs to add housing in areas that are transit-rich, for the good of the environment and the region overall. And finally, the Barbary Coast neighborhood will benefit immeasurably from the addition of more families and other new residents, who will provide more “eyes on the street,” night and day, and add to the social fabric of the community. Furthermore, it is a stated goal of the City of San Francisco to increase housing density and jobs along transit corridors. The project site is located directly adjacent to Muni, Bart and Ferry lines.    

Are the proposed buildings to scale with the surrounding community?

Following the City's Northeast Embarcadero Study, SFWP and architect, Skidmore Owings & Merrill, have revised the plans for 8 Washington to better provide a flexible range of heights and massing that respond to the natural topography of the surrounding community and built environment.   The newly designed residential buildings on Drumm Street would range in heights from 8 to 12 stories, stepping down to 4 to 6 stories on the Embarcadero.  The density of these residential buildings would be contained to the south of Jackson Street and in line with the high rise district surrounding them. Although the entire site is zoned at 84 feet, the project site north of Jackson Street would be dedicated to public open space and recreation.  That is, over half of the site would be dedicated to open space and recreation.

Will the residential building shade the swimming pools?

The project’s architect, Skidmore Owings & Merrill, has prepared multiple shadow studies. As a result of studying these models, the pools would be located in the most sun rich area on the site. Additionally, the lap pool would be larger than the existing lap pool at the site.

Will the project have an impact on vehicle and pedestrian traffic in the area?

The project is expected to bring traffic improvements to the neighborhood. With NO curb cuts on the Embarcadero, 8 Washington proposes to consolidate Ferry Building area parking into one centralized underground location, thereby eliminating circular traffic patterns while visitors search for parking spaces. The project plans also include wider sidewalks at the Embarcadero and Washington Street as well as improved bicycle lanes and bicycle-related amenities for the area.  Additionally, the underground garage would include spaces for car sharing programs.
 
Consolidating the fitness club’s facilities to one side of Drumm Street would also eliminate the existing pedestrian hazard for club members, who currently must dodge traffic on the busy street to get from the clubhouse to other facilities. Additional residents, restaurants and retail would also add to the safety and viability of the neighborhood by bringing more stakeholders, business and activity to the neighborhood.    

Will anything be done to minimize pile driving noise and other construction disruptions?

The loudest construction activity, pile driving, would only occur sporadically for three to four months during construction. Numerous measures would be taken to minimize the temporary disturbance to neighbors, including the use of low vibration pile driving methods. Notice would also be given to owners and occupants within 200 feet of the site at lease 48 hours prior to beginning pile driving- the notice would provide work dates, hours and expected duration.

San Francisco Waterfront Partners recently completed the historic renovation of Piers 1 ½, 3 & 5, which included 2 ½ years of construction with minimal disruption to neighbors.

What is the status of 8 Washington?

In February of 2009, San Francisco Waterfront Partners, LLC was awarded the Exclusive Negotiating Agreement for Seawall Lot 351 by the Port of San Francisco.  Simultaneously, the City began a 17-month community planning process in the Northeast Embarcadero. The Study produced design guidelines and recommendations which have impacted 8 Washington. As a result, the project team has reevaluated the site and has redesigned the project as is reflected in the current plans.

The project is also undergoing a CEQA review in which the environmental impacts of the project will be studied.  There will be numerous opportunities for public input in this process. 

What is Seawall Lot (SWL) 351?

SWL 351 is a triangular 27,937-square-foot piece of land on the Embarcadero at the corner of Washington Street, adjacent to the Golden Gateway Tennis and Swim Club. The site is Port property and is currently used as a surface parking lot.
 
The Port of San Francisco issued an RFP for the development of SWL 351 through a competitive bid process. San Francisco Waterfront Partners was awarded the Exclusive Negotiating Agreement in February, 2009.  Concurrently, the City began a 17-month community planning process on the Northeast Embarcadero.  That study has recently concluded and the final guidelines can be viewed at here.