- Prologis and Caltrain propose an 850-foot mixed-use tower in San Francisco’s Mission Bay as part of a major railyard redevelopment.
- The project would include homes, offices, retail, and open space, transforming the 20-acre site into a transit-oriented village.
- The plan aligns with city goals for density but awaits formal application and approval, with construction potentially starting in 2028.
- The development is linked to Caltrain’s Portal extension project, which aims to connect rail services to the Salesforce Transit Center.
Prologis (PLD) and Caltrain unveiled a bold vision to transform the 4th and King Street Station railyard in San Francisco’s Mission Bay, according to The Real Deal.
The joint proposal features an 850-foot mixed-use tower, which would be the second-tallest building in the city, alongside a broader transit-oriented redevelopment plan.
While no formal project application has been submitted yet, city agencies signaled preliminary support for the site’s height and density.
Project Details
The proposed 850-foot skyscraper would anchor a 20-acre redevelopment of the 4th and King Street Station, featuring a mix of residential units, office spaces, retail, restaurants, and public open spaces.
The design, led by the Kristen Hall design firm, envisions a transit village that better connects the historically separated neighborhoods of Mission Bay, Showplace Square, and SoMa through improved streetscapes.
Prologis owns the railyard, while Caltrain operates the existing rail lines. Since 2021, the two entities have been collaborating on the feasibility of redeveloping the site.
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Development Timeline
- Project Application: Expected to be filed in spring 2025.
- Approvals: Project approval could be secured by 2027.
- Construction: Early construction phases could begin as soon as 2028.
The redevelopment is contingent on the completion of Caltrain’s Portal project, a 1.3-mile rail extension connecting Caltrain services to the Salesforce Transit Center. The Portal will either move the rail lines underground or adjust the site’s layout, making way for the proposed construction.
City Support
The San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development and the Planning Department have expressed initial support for significant height and density in the railyard redevelopment. However, it remains unclear if the city will approve the full 850 feet as proposed.
This project comes at a time when housing construction in San Francisco is at historic lows, with only 1,205 new homes built in 2024, the fewest since the Great Recession.
Why It Matters
Prologis and Caltrain are expected to submit a formal project application this spring. Community feedback and city reviews will play a key role in shaping the final design and height of the proposed skyscraper.
If approved, the project could reshape Mission Bay by providing much-needed housing, commercial space, and transit connectivity in a rapidly evolving part of San Francisco. The project’s scale and timeline will be critical as the city navigates ongoing housing shortages and economic challenges.ng center sustained fire damage, publicly criticized the city’s response, pointing to the lack of water availability for fire suppression.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also faced criticism for being out of the city on a diplomatic trip to Ghana when the fires began but has since returned and addressed the situation.
What’s Next?
Fire officials continue to battle the flames, and air support is expected to resume once wind conditions stabilize. Meanwhile, officials urge residents in evacuation zones to follow warnings closely and conserve water as firefighting efforts persist.
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