50-story S.F. condo tower: Drawings reveal new details of what Sunset skyscraper would look like

[Auggie]

New, detailed plans and renderings have been filed with the city for a proposed 50-story residential tower overlooking Ocean Beach in San Francisco’s Sunset District — a project that has prompted backlash from city officials and debate among residents.

The 680-unit building, proposed for a site across from the San Francisco Zoo, would rise more than 580 feet in a neighborhood currently defined largely by low-rise buildings and single-family homes. City officials have said that, while they encourage density and residential development in the area, the proposed project is several times taller than what regulations allow in the neighborhood.

The latest details come as the city is faced with carrying out its state-mandated plan to build 82,000 new units over the next eight years. Some housing advocates have pointed to this requirement as a reason to approve the project.

The new plans, submitted by architectural firm Solomon Cordwell Buenz, show a thin, tall tower wrapped in glass, with floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies on each floor, surrounded by mostly two- and three-story buildings, with the beach a few blocks away.

Paywall link: https://www.sfchronicle.com/realestate/article/san-francisco-condo-sunset-tower-renderings-18185475.php#photo-24003159

Count on lawsuits up the wazoo. This 50-story tower will never be built.

[jimfields33]

1. I'm sorry but that looks repulsive

It doesn’t fit the area. It’s ridiculous and will be glad to see lots of lawsuits stopping that monstrosity.

[Auggie]

2. I wonder if the intent was to make it as repulsive as possible ...

so that future iterations, slightly less repulsive, might be easier to sell. Kind of like setting a high-price for a flea market item knowing you'll accept 25% less.

[jimfields33]

3. That's a great point.

I would think 5 ten story building would be a better option especially in earthquake state of California. Can you imagine being on the top floor of that thing during an earthquake? Yieks!

[Auggie]

4. Earthquakes -- yes!

That whole area is built on sand dunes and sandstone. And the San Andreas fault is just a few thousand feet away.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

5. I know that exact spot, and the views FROM the building, esp. facing west

Would be incredible.

For everyone already living in the area, the view OF that building would SUCK.

To say it would stick out like a sore thumb is a huge understatement. It would be an eyesore of the highest order. Probably the tallest building in a 1/2 mile radius is MAYBE 7 stories, the vast majority are 1 or 2, with some apartment buildings around 4-5 stories. It would completely ruin the landscape of the Sunset District.

And it will NOT be affordable housing.

I don't think it's gonna fly, nor should it. Most people living in Sunset have bucks, they will keep this monstrosity from fruition.

Honestly I'd LOVE to live in it for the views. But I'd feel like a giant dick in doing so.

Which is what that building is ... well, that or a middle finger.

[kimbutgar]

6. Born, raised and still live in SF

This tower will not happen! It is ugly, obscures views and built on sand what could go wrong if we had a big earthquake?

There is a very nice garden center that a lot of people shop at, at the proposed location also.

[AllaN01Bear]

7. i hope they have generators for when the power goes out to keep

the elevators running.

[Retrograde]

8. What have they done with the Great Highway?

The road that runs along the ocean - unless it's covered in sand again, as is common.

Residents will have a great view of the fog rolling, and the cool ocean breezes will mean they won't need air-conditioning - although they may need heat in summer. Driving to downtown SF - where most of the business and good restaurants are - will be a bit time consuming, but the L Taraval streetcar runs past there. But they'll be close to the zoo and the sewage treatment plant (and how soon before the residents complain about the animals)

Aside from sticking out like a sore appendage, the area is literally built on sand dunes, and the San Andreas fault runs just offshore. Are these architects familiar with the area (I'm not removing my ad blocker for the chronicle)?