Kevin Truong

The San Francisco Planning Commission has unanimously approved a hotel project in Fisherman’s Wharf, paving the way for the first new ground-up hospitality project in a generation in one of the city’s premier tourist destinations.

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The San Francisco Planning Commission has unanimously approved a hotel project in Fisherman’s Wharf, paving the way for the first new ground-up hospitality project in a generation in one of the city’s premier tourist destinations.

The project would demolish the existing one-story commercial building at 2629 Taylor St., which currently contains a cannabis dispensary, a souvenir shop and Hollywood Café, and replace it with a 136-room four-story hotel. Around 2,000 square feet of ground floor retail space will front Taylor Street, a throughway between the cable car stop and the wharf.

The project would demolish the existing one-story commercial building at 2629 Taylor St., which currently contains a cannabis dispensary, a souvenir shop and Hollywood Café, and replace it with a 136-room four-story hotel. Around 2,000 square feet of ground floor retail space will front Taylor Street, a throughway between the cable car stop and the wharf.

Amenities include a fitness center, breakfast service area, employee shower and locker facilities, a roof deck and a large central courtyard. No vehicle parking will be provided as part of the project, but the hotel will include 16 bicycle parking spaces.

Amenities include a fitness center, breakfast service area, employee shower and locker facilities, a roof deck and a large central courtyard. No vehicle parking will be provided as part of the project, but the hotel will include 16 bicycle parking spaces.

The hotel will now go to the full Board of Supervisors for final approval.&nbsp;

The hotel will now go to the full Board of Supervisors for final approval.&nbsp;

Michael Stanton, the principal of the project’s architect Stanton Architecture, said at a Planning Commission meeting that a large percentage of the rooms are double queens in line with its purpose as a “visitor-serving family hotel.” 

Michael Stanton, the principal of the project’s architect Stanton Architecture, said at a Planning Commission meeting that a large percentage of the rooms are double queens in line with its purpose as a “visitor-serving family hotel.”

Stanton cited a report from real estate services firm CBRE that showed San Francisco&#8217;s average hotel occupancy and revenue per room rebounding to 2017 levels by 2025. He said the hotel is likely to be open in summer 2025. 

Stanton cited a report from real estate services firm CBRE that showed San Francisco's average hotel occupancy and revenue per room rebounding to 2017 levels by 2025. He said the hotel is likely to be open in summer 2025.

Stanton cited a report from real estate services firm CBRE that showed San Francisco&#8217;s average hotel occupancy and revenue per room rebounding to 2017 levels by 2025. He said the hotel is likely to be open in summer 2025.

Randall Scott, the executive director of the Fisherman’s Wharf Central Business District, said Fisherman’s Wharf has only 3,000 hotel rooms while the district saw 13.5 million unique visitors in 2019. While visitor numbers have yet to recover to those heights, the organization is projecting 11 million unique visitors for 2022.

Randall Scott, the executive director of the Fisherman’s Wharf Central Business District, said Fisherman’s Wharf has only 3,000 hotel rooms while the district saw 13.5 million unique visitors in 2019. While visitor numbers have yet to recover to those heights, the organization is projecting 11 million unique visitors for 2022.

Scott said the project from developer Blackridge Group has been in the works for the past four years, with the timeline extended because of the pandemic.

Scott said the project from developer Blackridge Group has been in the works for the past four years, with the timeline extended because of the pandemic.

“It’s a match made in heaven, particularly for a neighborhood with a strong focus on tourism and that is one of the most family-friendly neighborhoods in the city,” Scott said.

“It’s a match made in heaven, particularly for a neighborhood with a strong focus on tourism and that is one of the most family-friendly neighborhoods in the city,” Scott said.

While a number of hotels in Fisherman’s Wharf have traded hands in recent years, Scott said this is the first new hotel construction in the neighborhood in “recent memory.”

While a number of hotels in Fisherman’s Wharf have traded hands in recent years, Scott said this is the first new hotel construction in the neighborhood in “recent memory.”

San Francisco’s hospitality industry took a major hit from the pandemic and has yet to recover, in large part because international travel from Asia is still stifled.&nbsp;

San Francisco’s hospitality industry took a major hit from the pandemic and has yet to recover, in large part because international travel from Asia is still stifled.&nbsp;

The city’s tourism board <a href="https://sfstandard.com/business/more-european-travelers-are-coming-to-sf-but-recession-talk-casts-a-pall/">has been targeting 2025</a> for a full recovery of the industry, but <a href="https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2022/11/30/sf-travel-moscone-room-night-targets.html">recent reporting from the San Francisco Business Times</a> showed slower-than-expected bookings tied to events at Moscone Center could call that target into question.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The city’s tourism board <a href="https://sfstandard.com/business/more-european-travelers-are-coming-to-sf-but-recession-talk-casts-a-pall/">has been targeting 2025</a> for a full recovery of the industry, but <a href="https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2022/11/30/sf-travel-moscone-room-night-targets.html">recent reporting from the San Francisco Business Times</a> showed slower-than-expected bookings tied to events at Moscone Center could call that target into question.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Denver-based Blackridge Group owns about a dozen hotels across major metro markets including New York City, Seattle and San Diego. The company has developed one other hotel in San Francisco, the 230-room Hyatt Place San Francisco at 702 Third St. near Oracle Park.

Denver-based Blackridge Group owns about a dozen hotels across major metro markets including New York City, Seattle and San Diego. The company has developed one other hotel in San Francisco, the 230-room Hyatt Place San Francisco at 702 Third St. near Oracle Park.

San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf is getting a rare, brand-new hotel

Joshua Bote

In March 2022, San Francisco Mayor London Breed got a smattering of big tech companies—Uber, Salesforce, Meta and Microsoft among them—to <a href="https://sfmayor.org/article/mayor-london-breed-and-business-leaders-announce-commitment-san-francisco">commit to bringing workers back into the office</a>. The pledges from the companies themselves were vague, but it was a hopeful sign for the city’s long-suffering business district.&nbsp;

In March 2022, San Francisco Mayor London Breed got a smattering of big tech companies—Uber, Salesforce, Meta and Microsoft among them—to <a href="https://sfmayor.org/article/mayor-london-breed-and-business-leaders-announce-commitment-san-francisco">commit to bringing workers back into the office</a>. The pledges from the companies themselves were vague, but it was a hopeful sign for the city’s long-suffering business district.&nbsp;

In the 18 months since, progress on that return has happened in fits and starts, with employees reluctant to sacrifice the benefits of a remote working life.&nbsp;

In the 18 months since, progress on that return has happened in fits and starts, with employees reluctant to sacrifice the benefits of a remote working life.&nbsp;

At first blush, the push to bring people back to the office seems like good news for Downtown, which has been beleaguered with <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/06/29/the-grim-state-of-downtown-san-francisco-by-the-numbers/#:~:text=Historical%20Office%20Vacancy%20Rate%20in,from%20the%20start%20of%202020.&amp;text=In%20order%20to%20turn%20the,would%20need%20to%20be%20positive.">record office vacancy rates, corporate exits and a litany of retail closures</a>.&nbsp;

The grim state of downtown San Francisco, by the numbers

At first blush, the push to bring people back to the office seems like good news for Downtown, which has been beleaguered with <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/06/29/the-grim-state-of-downtown-san-francisco-by-the-numbers/#:~:text=Historical%20Office%20Vacancy%20Rate%20in,from%20the%20start%20of%202020.&amp;text=In%20order%20to%20turn%20the,would%20need%20to%20be%20positive.">record office vacancy rates, corporate exits and a litany of retail closures</a>.&nbsp;

But the staggered nature of this return raises the question: Has Downtown San Francisco felt the benefits of the remote-work rubber band?

But the staggered nature of this return raises the question: Has Downtown San Francisco felt the benefits of the remote-work rubber band?

“It&#8217;s obviously a very important question for the city and Downtown,” said Ted Egan, San Francisco’s chief economist. “It&#8217;s interesting to see employees and employers still seem to be somewhat on different pages.”

“It's obviously a very important question for the city and Downtown,” said Ted Egan, San Francisco’s chief economist. “It's interesting to see employees and employers still seem to be somewhat on different pages.”

“It&#8217;s obviously a very important question for the city and Downtown,” said Ted Egan, San Francisco’s chief economist. “It&#8217;s interesting to see employees and employers still seem to be somewhat on different pages.”

Many employers have firmly planted a flag in the pro-office camp. <a href="https://www.teamblind.com/return-to-office-tracker">Data from the anonymous tech industry</a> job forum Blind revealed that around 400 tech companies have returned to a hybrid workforce from a fully remote structure.&nbsp;

Many employers have firmly planted a flag in the pro-office camp. <a href="https://www.teamblind.com/return-to-office-tracker">Data from the anonymous tech industry</a> job forum Blind revealed that around 400 tech companies have returned to a hybrid workforce from a fully remote structure.&nbsp;

Lyft reversed course on flexible work under new CEO David Risher and required a three-day-a-week in-office presence starting Labor Day. Zoom’s CEO Eric Yuan, in perhaps the most infamous recent example of a tech giant switching gears on its remote work, required employees within a 50-mile radius of an office to visit at least twice per week.

Lyft reversed course on flexible work under new CEO David Risher and required a three-day-a-week in-office presence starting Labor Day. Zoom’s CEO Eric Yuan, in perhaps the most infamous recent example of a tech giant switching gears on its remote work, required employees within a 50-mile radius of an office to visit at least twice per week.

“We cannot have a great conversation. We cannot debate each other well because everyone tends to be very friendly when you join a Zoom call,” Yuan told employees, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/zoom-ceo-employees-return-to-office-2023-8">according to Insider</a>.

“We cannot have a great conversation. We cannot debate each other well because everyone tends to be very friendly when you join a Zoom call,” Yuan told employees, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/zoom-ceo-employees-return-to-office-2023-8">according to Insider</a>.

Meanwhile, the likes of <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/09/18/meta-restores-in-office-laundry-perk/">Meta</a> (which also pegged its company-wide, three-day-a-week return-to-office to Labor Day) and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/salesforce-return-to-office-donating-charity-employees-remote-work-2023-6">Salesforce</a> are embarking on charm offensives to incentivize attendance, providing in-office perks and charitable rewards to workers who come in. Other tech companies, like Uber and Apple, ripped the bandage off and required in-office work as early as August 2022, much to workers’ chagrin.&nbsp;

This tech giant will offer employees laundry service again—with a catch

Meanwhile, the likes of <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/09/18/meta-restores-in-office-laundry-perk/">Meta</a> (which also pegged its company-wide, three-day-a-week return-to-office to Labor Day) and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/salesforce-return-to-office-donating-charity-employees-remote-work-2023-6">Salesforce</a> are embarking on charm offensives to incentivize attendance, providing in-office perks and charitable rewards to workers who come in. Other tech companies, like Uber and Apple, ripped the bandage off and required in-office work as early as August 2022, much to workers’ chagrin.&nbsp;

San Francisco Mayor London Breed, left, with Salesforce co-CEO Marc Benioff at Presidio Middle School on Sept. 19, 2022, in San Francisco.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/INLINED01_DowntownSFRTO092123.jpg?w=2500" alt="" class="wp-image-204479"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">San Francisco Mayor London Breed, left, with Salesforce co-CEO Marc Benioff, right, at Presidio Middle School in San Francisco.</figcaption></figure>

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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/INLINED01_DowntownSFRTO092123.jpg?w=2500" alt="" class="wp-image-204479"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">San Francisco Mayor London Breed, left, with Salesforce co-CEO Marc Benioff, right, at Presidio Middle School in San Francisco.</figcaption></figure>

“It&#8217;s taking time for people to get used to coming into the office again,” said Wade Rose, president of business advocacy group Advance SF. “There&#8217;s such a huge change from working in the office to working from home … and now having to get into a new set of habits.”

“It's taking time for people to get used to coming into the office again,” said Wade Rose, president of business advocacy group Advance SF. “There's such a huge change from working in the office to working from home … and now having to get into a new set of habits.”

“It&#8217;s taking time for people to get used to coming into the office again,” said Wade Rose, president of business advocacy group Advance SF. “There&#8217;s such a huge change from working in the office to working from home … and now having to get into a new set of habits.”

Blind data indicates that just over 200 tech companies are continuing their embrace of full-time remote work and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/news/story/remote-work-may-be-past-its-prime-6117210/">research from Linkedin</a> shows that the number of remote jobs available on the platform has declined significantly from its peak in March 2022.&nbsp;

Blind data indicates that just over 200 tech companies are continuing their embrace of full-time remote work and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/news/story/remote-work-may-be-past-its-prime-6117210/">research from Linkedin</a> shows that the number of remote jobs available on the platform has declined significantly from its peak in March 2022.&nbsp;

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-comes-after-wfh">What Comes After WFH?</h2>

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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-comes-after-wfh">What Comes After WFH?</h2>

San Francisco resident Tiffany Taimoorazy reversed an industry trend made popular in the thick of the pandemic. She left behind a remote-first tech stalwart with offices in Downtown in pursuit of a faster-paced startup—and to reenter the in-person workforce.

San Francisco resident Tiffany Taimoorazy reversed an industry trend made popular in the thick of the pandemic. She left behind a remote-first tech stalwart with offices in Downtown in pursuit of a faster-paced startup—and to reenter the in-person workforce.

Three days a week, she takes a Muni train, getting off at the Montgomery Street station to go to the Downtown offices of Pave, the startup where Taimoorazy works as a product designer.&nbsp;

Three days a week, she takes a Muni train, getting off at the Montgomery Street station to go to the Downtown offices of Pave, the startup where Taimoorazy works as a product designer.&nbsp;

Taimoorazy knows she’s a rare case—a worker who gave up the creature comforts of remote work to have some structure in her day-to-day work life.&nbsp;

Taimoorazy knows she’s a rare case—a worker who gave up the creature comforts of remote work to have some structure in her day-to-day work life.&nbsp;

“Maybe you have a little bit more self-control or will to do things than I do,” she said, “but it was really hard for me to get the motivation to even just take my first few calls not in my bed.”

“Maybe you have a little bit more self-control or will to do things than I do,” she said, “but it was really hard for me to get the motivation to even just take my first few calls not in my bed.”

Most other tech workers have been forced to give up full remote work by their bosses in favor of a hybridized work structure.

Most other tech workers have been forced to give up full remote work by their bosses in favor of a hybridized work structure.

Pedestrians walk down Sutter St. in Downtown San Francisco on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. Tech sector companies in downtown San Francisco have begun to require staff and employees to return to work in their Downtown San Francisco office after working remote for many years during the Covid pandemic.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/INLINED02_DowntownSFRTO092123.jpg?w=2500" alt="" class="wp-image-204480"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pedestrians walk down Sutter St. in Downtown San Francisco.</figcaption></figure>

The average office attendance rate in the San Francisco metropolitan area rose from 40% to 42.6% after the Labor Day holiday, according to badge swipe data from Kastle Systems.&nbsp;

The average office attendance rate in the San Francisco metropolitan area rose from 40% to 42.6% after the Labor Day holiday, according to badge swipe data from Kastle Systems.&nbsp;

The slight tick upward corresponds with trends from recent years, according to Kastle, but this year’s data could be an indication that return to office nationwide will reach a “new, higher base level as more workers return to the office.” Mobile data from Placer.ai also shows that Downtown San Francisco has seen a 21% rise in foot traffic year-over-year, more than double the nationwide average.

The slight tick upward corresponds with trends from recent years, according to Kastle, but this year’s data could be an indication that return to office nationwide will reach a “new, higher base level as more workers return to the office.” Mobile data from Placer.ai also shows that Downtown San Francisco has seen a 21% rise in foot traffic year-over-year, more than double the nationwide average.

Recent big-ticket office space purchases are also helping move the needle on Downtown, Egan said. The <a href="https://www.wsj.com/real-estate/commercial/san-francisco-office-market-shows-signs-of-life-93a95515?st">Wall Street Journal reported</a> earlier this month that five major towers in the city have been snatched up by buyers, a sign that San Francisco’s real estate transaction freeze is starting to thaw.

Recent big-ticket office space purchases are also helping move the needle on Downtown, Egan said. The <a href="https://www.wsj.com/real-estate/commercial/san-francisco-office-market-shows-signs-of-life-93a95515?st">Wall Street Journal reported</a> earlier this month that five major towers in the city have been snatched up by buyers, a sign that San Francisco’s real estate transaction freeze is starting to thaw.

“It&#8217;s also likely that changes that we see in the office market related to sales of buildings and new ownership is likely going to lead to greater office occupancy,” Egan said.

“It's also likely that changes that we see in the office market related to sales of buildings and new ownership is likely going to lead to greater office occupancy,” Egan said.

“It&#8217;s also likely that changes that we see in the office market related to sales of buildings and new ownership is likely going to lead to greater office occupancy,” Egan said.

Properties trading at lower values mean greater flexibility for landlords to charge lower rents, making in-office work a less expensive proposition for prospective tenants.&nbsp;

Properties trading at lower values mean greater flexibility for landlords to charge lower rents, making in-office work a less expensive proposition for prospective tenants.&nbsp;

It’s not all good news, though. San Francisco’s office occupancy rates still rank among the lowest in the nation, according to Kastle data, with only the Philadelphia and San Jose metros posting data points that are comparable to the city’s. (Both New York and Los Angeles, for example, are currently hovering around 50% in-office occupancy, around 7 percentage points higher.)&nbsp;

It’s not all good news, though. San Francisco’s office occupancy rates still rank among the lowest in the nation, according to Kastle data, with only the Philadelphia and San Jose metros posting data points that are comparable to the city’s. (Both New York and Los Angeles, for example, are currently hovering around 50% in-office occupancy, around 7 percentage points higher.)&nbsp;

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<figure class="wp-block-video"><video controls src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Video-for-Wordpress.mp4"></video><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pedestrians cross Sansome St. at Sutter in San Francisco on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2023. Remote work related from COVID-19 has influenced the office and business landscape in Downtown San Francisco. | RJ Mickelson/The Standard</figcaption></figure>

Additionally, some of the real estate numbers are striking. According to preliminary data from CBRE, the vacancy rate for the third quarter reached a record 33.9%, reflecting nearly 30 million square feet of empty space.

Additionally, some of the real estate numbers are striking. According to preliminary data from CBRE, the vacancy rate for the third quarter reached a record 33.9%, reflecting nearly 30 million square feet of empty space.

However, there are also signs that the market is starting to rebound. The vacancy metric tends to lags the market itself—offices sit empty months after tenants depart.

However, there are also signs that the market is starting to rebound. The vacancy metric tends to lags the market itself—offices sit empty months after tenants depart.

Some green shoots poke through the vacancies. Some experts expect vacancy rates to peak in 2024 as early indicators like tenant tours and demand growth point to healing.

Some green shoots poke through the vacancies. Some experts expect vacancy rates to peak in 2024 as early indicators like tenant tours and demand growth point to healing.

Liza Mash Levin, CEO of office space management startup Gable, told The Standard that San Francisco still remains behind the curve compared with most cities in terms of ending remote work, at least for emerging companies with workers in Downtown.&nbsp;

Liza Mash Levin, CEO of office space management startup Gable, told The Standard that San Francisco still remains behind the curve compared with most cities in terms of ending remote work, at least for emerging companies with workers in Downtown.&nbsp;

“We don&#8217;t see an uptick in return to office at all in terms of utilization from companies that we partner with,” Levin said. Most of her company’s clients are small to midsize businesses—not enterprise firms—but these smaller firms tend to follow the trends that influential tech giants set.&nbsp;

“We don't see an uptick in return to office at all in terms of utilization from companies that we partner with,” Levin said. Most of her company’s clients are small to midsize businesses—not enterprise firms—but these smaller firms tend to follow the trends that influential tech giants set.&nbsp;

“We don&#8217;t see an uptick in return to office at all in terms of utilization from companies that we partner with,” Levin said. Most of her company’s clients are small to midsize businesses—not enterprise firms—but these smaller firms tend to follow the trends that influential tech giants set.&nbsp;

As for whether the push to bring people back into offices has benefitted Downtown in any measurable way, the jury’s still very much out.&nbsp;

As for whether the push to bring people back into offices has benefitted Downtown in any measurable way, the jury’s still very much out.&nbsp;

Egan pointed to some anecdotal evidence: Downtown businesses he’s spoken to are a lot busier now than they were about a year ago, he said, and trains are generally more full now, too. However, he cautioned hard data showing commercial activity in Downtown is still not available.

Egan pointed to some anecdotal evidence: Downtown businesses he’s spoken to are a lot busier now than they were about a year ago, he said, and trains are generally more full now, too. However, he cautioned hard data showing commercial activity in Downtown is still not available.

For Taimoorazy, her metric to gauge Downtown recovery is a fair bit simpler: whether she can secure a seat on a Muni train during her commute. In the Before Times, it was a struggle to find a spot to stand, let alone sit, on her train commute to the office.&nbsp;

For Taimoorazy, her metric to gauge Downtown recovery is a fair bit simpler: whether she can secure a seat on a Muni train during her commute. In the Before Times, it was a struggle to find a spot to stand, let alone sit, on her train commute to the office.&nbsp;

“The trains would literally be packed person-to-person, I remember, any time I was trying to leave work,” Taimoorazy said. “It&#8217;s definitely not anywhere near where that used to be.”

“The trains would literally be packed person-to-person, I remember, any time I was trying to leave work,” Taimoorazy said. “It's definitely not anywhere near where that used to be.”

“The trains would literally be packed person-to-person, I remember, any time I was trying to leave work,” Taimoorazy said. “It&#8217;s definitely not anywhere near where that used to be.”

She can still finagle a seat most days on her commute to Pave’s offices—even when out-of-towners descend on San Francisco for something like Dreamforce.&nbsp;

She can still finagle a seat most days on her commute to Pave’s offices—even when out-of-towners descend on San Francisco for something like Dreamforce.&nbsp;

A person walks toward the security gates as others exit the elevators in the lobby at Salesforce Tower on Mission Street in Downtown San Francisco on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. Tech sector companies in downtown San Francisco have begun to require staff and employees to return to work in their Downtown San Francisco office after working remote for many years during the Covid pandemic.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/INLINED03_DowntownSFRTO092123.jpg?w=2500" alt="" class="wp-image-204481"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">People walk through the lobby neat the elevator banks at Salesforce Tower on Mission Street in Downtown San Francisco on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. </figcaption></figure>

There’s also the larger question of whether requiring in-office appearances will backfire for tech companies—and, consequently, for Downtown San Francisco.&nbsp;

There’s also the larger question of whether requiring in-office appearances will backfire for tech companies—and, consequently, for Downtown San Francisco.&nbsp;

After all, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/workers-dont-want-rto-would-take-paycut-forgo-thousands-wfh-2023-6#:~:text=Some%20say%20they%20would%20forgo,to%20keep%20working%20from%20home.&amp;text=Remote%20workers%20are%20turning%20to,to%20continue%20working%20from%20home.">multiple</a> <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/remote-work-jobs-2023-robert-half/">surveys</a> have indicated that workers are generally willing to take pay cuts to work fully remotely. Some tech workers in Taimoorazy’s network have felt burned by employers who abandoned their support for fully remote work. Those employees, she said, feel their only recourse is quitting their jobs entirely.

After all, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/workers-dont-want-rto-would-take-paycut-forgo-thousands-wfh-2023-6#:~:text=Some%20say%20they%20would%20forgo,to%20keep%20working%20from%20home.&amp;text=Remote%20workers%20are%20turning%20to,to%20continue%20working%20from%20home.">multiple</a> <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/remote-work-jobs-2023-robert-half/">surveys</a> have indicated that workers are generally willing to take pay cuts to work fully remotely. Some tech workers in Taimoorazy’s network have felt burned by employers who abandoned their support for fully remote work. Those employees, she said, feel their only recourse is quitting their jobs entirely.

Levin acknowledged that tech workers returning to Downtown will likely be part of its recovery—but cautioned that companies shouldn’t rush to get workers back in person, lest they lose some top performers.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Levin acknowledged that tech workers returning to Downtown will likely be part of its recovery—but cautioned that companies shouldn’t rush to get workers back in person, lest they lose some top performers.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“What I believe is that every company should decide what strategy works for them, for their employees, what makes the employees happy, the most productive,” she said.

“What I believe is that every company should decide what strategy works for them, for their employees, what makes the employees happy, the most productive,” she said.

For its part, San Francisco officials seem acutely aware that Downtown’s recovery can’t be done with an office revival alone. Moves like the “Vacant to Vibrant” campaign or, perhaps, the recent popularity of the Sunset Night Market, could be guideposts to where Downtown is headed.

For its part, San Francisco officials seem acutely aware that Downtown’s recovery can’t be done with an office revival alone. Moves like the “Vacant to Vibrant” campaign or, perhaps, the recent popularity of the Sunset Night Market, could be guideposts to where Downtown is headed.

“We hear about all this office space that&#8217;s left vacant in Downtown, too, and I just feel, like, ‘OK, you know that people probably aren&#8217;t going to come back in droves the way they did,’” Taimoorazy, the tech worker, said. “We should probably be looking at other solutions as to, ‘How can we revitalize this area?’&#8221;

“We hear about all this office space that's left vacant in Downtown, too, and I just feel, like, ‘OK, you know that people probably aren't going to come back in droves the way they did,’” Taimoorazy, the tech worker, said. “We should probably be looking at other solutions as to, ‘How can we revitalize this area?’"

“We hear about all this office space that&#8217;s left vacant in Downtown, too, and I just feel, like, ‘OK, you know that people probably aren&#8217;t going to come back in droves the way they did,’” Taimoorazy, the tech worker, said. “We should probably be looking at other solutions as to, ‘How can we revitalize this area?’&#8221;

But for now, San Francisco’s in-person office recovery continues apace—slowly, if not so surely.&nbsp;

But for now, San Francisco’s in-person office recovery continues apace—slowly, if not so surely.&nbsp;

Will Big Tech’s return-to-office push resuscitate downtown San Francisco?

Astrid Kane

Stephen Torres, an LGBTQ+ community activist, bartender and <a href="https://sf.gov/profile/stephen-torres">member of the San Francisco Entertainment Commission</a>, will file Tuesday to run for a seat on the Board of Supervisors, hoping to replace the termed-out Hillary Ronen next year.

Stephen Torres, an LGBTQ+ community activist, bartender and <a href="https://sf.gov/profile/stephen-torres">member of the San Francisco Entertainment Commission</a>, will file Tuesday to run for a seat on the Board of Supervisors, hoping to replace the termed-out Hillary Ronen next year.

A native Angeleno who serves as executive co-chair of the Castro LGBTQ Cultural District, Torres has lived in San Francisco since 1999, apart from a brief period in Mexico City. Torres is also a bartender at Twin Peaks, a well-known queer bar in the Castro. If elected in November 2024, he would be among the board’s progressive wing.

A native Angeleno who serves as executive co-chair of the Castro LGBTQ Cultural District, Torres has lived in San Francisco since 1999, apart from a brief period in Mexico City. Torres is also a bartender at Twin Peaks, a well-known queer bar in the Castro. If elected in November 2024, he would be among the board’s progressive wing.

“Having lived here in District 9 for almost two decades, I feel like I know very much what the average constituent knows and feels about all the amazing, wonderful parts of it,” Torres told The Standard. “The challenges, too.”

“Having lived here in District 9 for almost two decades, I feel like I know very much what the average constituent knows and feels about all the amazing, wonderful parts of it,” Torres told The Standard. “The challenges, too.”

In a statement to his supporters over the weekend, Torres emphasized the importance of the city’s neighborhoods to its overall economic and civic health, adding that “without community, it’s just real estate.”

In a statement to his supporters over the weekend, Torres emphasized the importance of the city’s neighborhoods to its overall economic and civic health, adding that “without community, it’s just real estate.”

Stephen Torres, Castro Cultural District Advisory Board Executive Co-Chair, is seen outside the space formerly occupied by QBar in the Castro District of San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. | Jungho Kim for The Standard

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/StephenTorresD9_10302023-03.jpg?w=2500" alt="A man with a mustache stands by a graffiti-covered wall near &quot;Osaka Sushi&quot; sign on a sunny street." class="wp-image-214500"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Torres lives in the Mission but largely works in the Castro—as a bartender at Twin Peaks and as the executive co-chair for the advisory board of the Castro LGBTQ+ Cultural District.</figcaption></figure>

Torres will face a crowded field of contenders hoping to represent District 9, which covers the Mission District, Bernal Heights and much of the Portola District. Among the serious competitors for the seat are public banking advocate and <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/07/10/race-to-represent-san-francisco-mission-district-heats-up/">2020 state Senate candidate Jackie Fielder,</a> <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/07/10/race-to-represent-san-francisco-mission-district-heats-up/">Carnaval San Francisco CEO Roberto Hernandez</a> and <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/04/18/an-ex-employee-of-citizen-the-public-safety-app-is-running-for-sf-supervisor/">former Citizen app employee Trevor Chandler</a>. Rafael Gutierrez, Julian Bermudez, Jaime Gutierrez and perennial candidate Michael Petrelis have declared their candidacies as well.&nbsp;

Jackie Fielder, Trevor Chandler lead pack in race to represent San Francisco’s Mission District

Ex-Citizen app employee declares candidacy for SF supervisor

Torres will face a crowded field of contenders hoping to represent District 9, which covers the Mission District, Bernal Heights and much of the Portola District. Among the serious competitors for the seat are public banking advocate and <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/07/10/race-to-represent-san-francisco-mission-district-heats-up/">2020 state Senate candidate Jackie Fielder,</a> <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/07/10/race-to-represent-san-francisco-mission-district-heats-up/">Carnaval San Francisco CEO Roberto Hernandez</a> and <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/04/18/an-ex-employee-of-citizen-the-public-safety-app-is-running-for-sf-supervisor/">former Citizen app employee Trevor Chandler</a>. Rafael Gutierrez, Julian Bermudez, Jaime Gutierrez and perennial candidate Michael Petrelis have declared their candidacies as well.&nbsp;

District 9 is a focal point for the city’s struggles with poverty, unlawful vending and perceptions about a decline in public safety. Recently, Ronen proposed a controversial, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/10/24/san-francisco-mission-street-vendor-ban/">90-day ban on sidewalk vendors along Mission Street</a>, the neighborhood’s main commercial corridor. Torres believes his involvement with the city’s nightlife community during and after Covid, plus his familiarity with the mechanics of city governance, distinguish him from his rivals.

San Francisco wants to ban street vendors for 90 days on Mission Street. Vendors aren&#8217;t having it

District 9 is a focal point for the city’s struggles with poverty, unlawful vending and perceptions about a decline in public safety. Recently, Ronen proposed a controversial, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/10/24/san-francisco-mission-street-vendor-ban/">90-day ban on sidewalk vendors along Mission Street</a>, the neighborhood’s main commercial corridor. Torres believes his involvement with the city’s nightlife community during and after Covid, plus his familiarity with the mechanics of city governance, distinguish him from his rivals.

“There&#8217;s a lot of well-intended gestures to the challenges that San Franciscans face,” he said. “But then, when it comes down to the actual implementation, they still fall short of helping people. Everything from public safety to wellness to resources to housing.”

“There's a lot of well-intended gestures to the challenges that San Franciscans face,” he said. “But then, when it comes down to the actual implementation, they still fall short of helping people. Everything from public safety to wellness to resources to housing.”

“There&#8217;s a lot of well-intended gestures to the challenges that San Franciscans face,” he said. “But then, when it comes down to the actual implementation, they still fall short of helping people. Everything from public safety to wellness to resources to housing.”

Among his accomplishments, Torres cites increasing the availability of naloxone, or Narcan, in the city’s bars and entertainment venues. He’s also proud of the ongoing work that both the cultural district and the commission he sits on have undertaken to gather and analyze city data to assess whether San Francisco’s nightlife industry workers have recovered from the pandemic.&nbsp;

Among his accomplishments, Torres cites increasing the availability of naloxone, or Narcan, in the city’s bars and entertainment venues. He’s also proud of the ongoing work that both the cultural district and the commission he sits on have undertaken to gather and analyze city data to assess whether San Francisco’s nightlife industry workers have recovered from the pandemic.&nbsp;

“So many of us that work in nightlife—our lives have completely changed. Our income is a third of what it was,” he said. “Some of us have had to leave this industry because it is just not sustainable. Even for those of us who live in affordable housing.”

“So many of us that work in nightlife—our lives have completely changed. Our income is a third of what it was,” he said. “Some of us have had to leave this industry because it is just not sustainable. Even for those of us who live in affordable housing.”

As the city stakes its future on a revival of nightlife—<a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/09/29/first-look-at-san-franciscos-pop-up-bid-to-save-downtown/">Downtown, most prominently</a>, but certainly in neighborhoods like the Mission—questions of public safety rise to the fore. Torres wants to make sure that everyone, patrons and staff alike, can go out, have fun, spend money and enjoy their city without fear.

San Francisco pop-ups open in bid to breathe life into downtown

As the city stakes its future on a revival of nightlife—<a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/09/29/first-look-at-san-franciscos-pop-up-bid-to-save-downtown/">Downtown, most prominently</a>, but certainly in neighborhoods like the Mission—questions of public safety rise to the fore. Torres wants to make sure that everyone, patrons and staff alike, can go out, have fun, spend money and enjoy their city without fear.

He hopes to work with grassroots activists across the district and city to create outdoor, Mexico City-style markets that are loosely grouped around certain types of wares, from the fixed mercados to the looser tianguis, which are more like farmers markets.

He hopes to work with grassroots activists across the district and city to create outdoor, Mexico City-style markets that are loosely grouped around certain types of wares, from the fixed mercados to the looser tianguis, which are more like farmers markets.

“A constituent from the Portola, whose family has lived here for a long time, was telling me how his grandmother used to go to the Crystal Palace market,” Torres said, referring to the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/04/12/100-years-ago-sfs-now-closed-whole-foods-was-a-market-popular-enough-for-its-own-transit-line/">long-ago shopping center at Market and Eighth streets</a> where SoMa’s now-closed Whole Foods stands. “We should return to these kinds of things. It’s a way of dealing with illegal peddling.”

100 years ago, SF’s now-closed Whole Foods was a market popular enough for its own transit line

“A constituent from the Portola, whose family has lived here for a long time, was telling me how his grandmother used to go to the Crystal Palace market,” Torres said, referring to the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/04/12/100-years-ago-sfs-now-closed-whole-foods-was-a-market-popular-enough-for-its-own-transit-line/">long-ago shopping center at Market and Eighth streets</a> where SoMa’s now-closed Whole Foods stands. “We should return to these kinds of things. It’s a way of dealing with illegal peddling.”

While stating that people who commit violent crimes should be held accountable, Torres insists that the city must also work to provide alternatives for economically desperate people around the 16th Street and 24th Street BART stations, where vending is often considered a public nuisance.

While stating that people who commit violent crimes should be held accountable, Torres insists that the city must also work to provide alternatives for economically desperate people around the 16th Street and 24th Street BART stations, where vending is often considered a public nuisance.

“I&#8217;m sorry, but in my entire 25 years of living in San Francisco, neither one of the BART stations have been widely known as gathering places—aside from, you know, illicit things,” he said. “And so how do we change that? It&#8217;s by making them gathering places for other things.”&nbsp;

“I'm sorry, but in my entire 25 years of living in San Francisco, neither one of the BART stations have been widely known as gathering places—aside from, you know, illicit things,” he said. “And so how do we change that? It's by making them gathering places for other things.”&nbsp;

“I&#8217;m sorry, but in my entire 25 years of living in San Francisco, neither one of the BART stations have been widely known as gathering places—aside from, you know, illicit things,” he said. “And so how do we change that? It&#8217;s by making them gathering places for other things.”&nbsp;

Stephen Torres, Castro Cultural District Advisory Board Executive Co-Chair, is seen in front of the Castro Theatre which has recently come under new management from Another Planet Entertainment in the Castro District of San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. | Jungho Kim for The Standard

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/StephenTorresD9_10302023-01-1.jpg?w=2500" alt="A man stands in front of an ornate theater marquee under a clear blue sky." class="wp-image-214501"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Torres will likely draw support from the city&#8217;s Latinx and LGBTQ+ communities.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/StephenTorresD9_10302023-01-1.jpg?w=2500" alt="A man stands in front of an ornate theater marquee under a clear blue sky." class="wp-image-214501"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Torres will likely draw support from the city's Latinx and LGBTQ+ communities.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/StephenTorresD9_10302023-01-1.jpg?w=2500" alt="A man stands in front of an ornate theater marquee under a clear blue sky." class="wp-image-214501"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Torres will likely draw support from the city&#8217;s Latinx and LGBTQ+ communities.</figcaption></figure>

Torres’ candidacy will likely draw its support from the Latinx community, which, in spite of the Mission’s advanced state of gentrification, remains a potent political force.&nbsp;

Torres’ candidacy will likely draw its support from the Latinx community, which, in spite of the Mission’s advanced state of gentrification, remains a potent political force.&nbsp;

“Stephen’s desire to be a district supervisor is genuine and principled,” said Lito Sandoval, former chair of the San Francisco Latino Democratic Club. “I have known Stephen for years and have seen how he is level-headed and thoughtful. We need supervisors who are willing to do the work and not just grandstand for the cameras.

“Stephen’s desire to be a district supervisor is genuine and principled,” said Lito Sandoval, former chair of the San Francisco Latino Democratic Club. “I have known Stephen for years and have seen how he is level-headed and thoughtful. We need supervisors who are willing to do the work and not just grandstand for the cameras.

“His passion for justice and his work in the community aligns with mine,” said Per Sia, a Latinx drag performer and educator. “He has put in the work and will continue to do so as District 9 supervisor. That mustache can conquer it all.”

“His passion for justice and his work in the community aligns with mine,” said Per Sia, a Latinx drag performer and educator. “He has put in the work and will continue to do so as District 9 supervisor. That mustache can conquer it all.”

Connecting people to their neighborhoods sometimes means reimagining those neighborhoods. As the son of a quality-assurance engineer, Torres has warily eyed the city’s Central Freeway for years, and he supports the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2022/09/01/forget-the-central-subway-whats-happening-with-the-central-freeway/">movement to remove the elevated roadway</a>, much of which marks the northern boundary of District 9.&nbsp;

Forget the Central Subway—what’s happening with the Central Freeway?

Connecting people to their neighborhoods sometimes means reimagining those neighborhoods. As the son of a quality-assurance engineer, Torres has warily eyed the city’s Central Freeway for years, and he supports the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2022/09/01/forget-the-central-subway-whats-happening-with-the-central-freeway/">movement to remove the elevated roadway</a>, much of which marks the northern boundary of District 9.&nbsp;

“That all used to be an estuary. To reclaim some of that and also integrate both housing and public space—it’s just an opportunity that you rarely if ever get in a city this old,” Torres said. “I would love to see that happen. But the thing is, you have to make sure that it happens with the community at the ground floor.”

“That all used to be an estuary. To reclaim some of that and also integrate both housing and public space—it’s just an opportunity that you rarely if ever get in a city this old,” Torres said. “I would love to see that happen. But the thing is, you have to make sure that it happens with the community at the ground floor.”

That way, he said, Division and 13th streets don’t become a wall of five-story, concrete monoliths priced beyond the reach of the neighborhood’s existing residents.&nbsp;

That way, he said, Division and 13th streets don’t become a wall of five-story, concrete monoliths priced beyond the reach of the neighborhood’s existing residents.&nbsp;

That viewpoint might be a bit rose-tinted, but retaining a sense of optimism is more important than a dogmatic affiliation with this or that political faction.

That viewpoint might be a bit rose-tinted, but retaining a sense of optimism is more important than a dogmatic affiliation with this or that political faction.

“There&#8217;s this narrative that this state was like a paradise. But I think that&#8217;s actually a big falsehood,” Torres said. “This is actually rather a cataclysmic state to inhabit. But you can’t help but be optimistic a little bit. Otherwise, you’re insane.”&nbsp;

“There's this narrative that this state was like a paradise. But I think that's actually a big falsehood,” Torres said. “This is actually rather a cataclysmic state to inhabit. But you can’t help but be optimistic a little bit. Otherwise, you’re insane.”&nbsp;

“There&#8217;s this narrative that this state was like a paradise. But I think that&#8217;s actually a big falsehood,” Torres said. “This is actually rather a cataclysmic state to inhabit. But you can’t help but be optimistic a little bit. Otherwise, you’re insane.”&nbsp;

San Francisco entertainment commissioner enters crowded race to represent the Mission District

Zara Stone

A fit Gen Z guy averages around 25 push-ups before hitting his limit, according to the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, while a similarly fit young woman can do around 15. But Dr. Dobri Kiprov, a 75-year-old longevity specialist from Marin, is easily crushing 50, he says — and we’re talking full military push-ups, not the knees-down version.

A fit Gen Z guy averages around 25 push-ups before hitting his limit, according to the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, while a similarly fit young woman can do around 15. But Dr. Dobri Kiprov, a 75-year-old longevity specialist from Marin, is easily crushing 50, he says — and we’re talking full military push-ups, not the knees-down version.

Kiprov, a Harvard-trained immunologist, credits his push-up prowess to a balanced diet, stern exercise routine, and every-other-month therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) treatments, in which two liters of blood are sucked from his veins into a dresser-size machine. From there, they’re whipped around by centrifuge to separate the plasma from the red blood cells. The plasma is&nbsp;piped into a clear plastic sack and discarded, and the other stuff —&nbsp;red and white blood cells and platelets —&nbsp;is combined with a solution of saline and albumin (the latter derived from purified human plasma), which is then pumped back into Kiprov’s body.&nbsp;

Kiprov, a Harvard-trained immunologist, credits his push-up prowess to a balanced diet, stern exercise routine, and every-other-month therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) treatments, in which two liters of blood are sucked from his veins into a dresser-size machine. From there, they’re whipped around by centrifuge to separate the plasma from the red blood cells. The plasma is&nbsp;piped into a clear plastic sack and discarded, and the other stuff —&nbsp;red and white blood cells and platelets —&nbsp;is combined with a solution of saline and albumin (the latter derived from purified human plasma), which is then pumped back into Kiprov’s body.&nbsp;

It’s like an oil change that extends the life of your automobile, or a thorough cleaning of a fishbowl. “If you have an aquarium and you don&#8217;t change the water, your fish will die,” he said. “But if you keep it clean and give them food, they’ll thrive. This is the same thing.”&nbsp;

It’s like an oil change that extends the life of your automobile, or a thorough cleaning of a fishbowl. “If you have an aquarium and you don't change the water, your fish will die,” he said. “But if you keep it clean and give them food, they’ll thrive. This is the same thing.”&nbsp;

It’s like an oil change that extends the life of your automobile, or a thorough cleaning of a fishbowl. “If you have an aquarium and you don&#8217;t change the water, your fish will die,” he said. “But if you keep it clean and give them food, they’ll thrive. This is the same thing.”&nbsp;

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San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf is getting a rare, brand-new hotel

Will Big Tech’s return-to-office push resuscitate downtown San Francisco?

San Francisco entertainment commissioner enters crowded race to represent the Mission District

A $36K blood-cleaning treatment is the new longevity craze

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