Build was the successful respondent to a request for proposals issued by the City of San Francisco for what was originally the onramp to Highway 101 southbound from Oak Street. The site is located in the residential neighborhood of Hayes Valley. It was a vital infill piece replacing the earthquake-damaged 101 elevated freeway and mending the urban fabric around it. Once the freeway was removed, the neighborhood quickly began a transformation into what is now one of the prime neighborhoods in the city.
Build’s winning design was based on breaking the entire city block into fragments, which allowed a large project to fit more comfortably into the neighborhood. The plan evolved into a 182-unit residential development designed by three different architects. Multiple buildings were built over a common podium in order to achieve efficiencies in construction and maintain diversity in design. Avalon Bay purchased Build’s interest in the site in 2012.