Project Description
Designed by MBH Architects, 300 Grant Ave is The Lincoln Property Company’s newest development breathing new life and opportunity to the prominent corner of Grant Avenue and Sutter Street, which sits at the iconic gates of Chinatown. The mixed-use development boasts approximately 28,100 square feet of retail and 41,500 square feet of Class A office space.
Distinguished by its remarkable affinity within the Union Square area, 300 Grant Ave is inspired and defined by classical proportions and modern detailing. As the first ground-up development completed in Union Square in over 20 years, it signifies an important architectural and economic milestone in the neighborhood’s history, exemplifying the architecture that will shape San Francisco’s 21st-century landscape.
The six-story building houses three levels of boutique office spaces above three floors of prime high-street retail spaces in the city’s premier shopping destination. Floor-to-ceiling windows bathe the interiors with natural light while horizontal scrim with a terra cotta finish, wrapped around the top four floors, provide a sense of privacy and sunlight diffusion. To meld the public areas with the private tenant spaces, the formerly underutilized side alley—Harlan Place–was transformed into a publicly-accessible parklet, complete with permanent and temporary seating and a wind-generated public art component, created by local artist Ned Kahn.
A project originally conceived in 2004, MBH Architects was initially commissioned by the first prospective developer to undertake a design assessment for the site. In 2014, Lincoln Property Company became the official developer, tapping MBH to realize their vision. As the architect, MBH worked to ensure the development stayed below the high-rise safety requirements while providing a design-forward space on-par with the prospective retail and technology-company tenants. Historic architects, Page & Turnbull, were also brought on board to celebrate the building’s architectural past while embracing modern touches.