California City Scoop: Construction Starts in San Francisco

Value of new contracts expected to jump 15% in 2021 after falling sharply last year

Gains are forecast across all three main construction sectors, with residential showing the sharpest increase.

City Grill

Ken Lowney
President & CEO
Lowney Architecture Oakland

Always a critical issue in San Francisco, housing development continued unabated during the pandemic, says Lowney. “However, we will likely see it pause to catch its breath as the sector regains balance, absorbing the effects of overbuilding and recalibrating, given the movement of companies and workers,” he says.

Lowney expects the multifamily sector to remain strong through the pandemic and in the long term. “Modular development is becoming a more attractive solution for addressing the myriad challenges around availability, and the Bay Area is seeing more projects of this type popping up,” he says.

Lowney’s firm is collaborating with Herman Coliver Locus Architecture (HCLA) on 1064-68 Mission Street, one example of the region’s use of modular development. The project combines site-built and factory-built modular units, and once complete, will be San Francisco’s largest permanent supportive housing development for people formerly suffering from homelessness. The project will include 254 units, with 100 of those earmarked for seniors.