One Rincon Hill Tower

One Rincon Hill Tower


One_Rincon_Hill_SF2-600x955

General information
Type Residential condominiums
Location 425 1st Street
San Francisco, California
Elevation 32 m (105 ft)
Construction started 10 November 2005
Completed 2008
Opening 2008
Cost US$300 million
Height
Roof 640 ft (200 m)
Technical details
Floor count above ground: 60
below ground:
Lifts/elevators 4
Design and construction
Architect Solomon Cordwell Buenz
Developer Urban West Associates
Structural engineer Magnusson Klemencic Associates
Main contractor Bovis Lend Lease
References

One Rincon Hill is an upscale residential complex on the apex of Rincon Hill in San Francisco, California, United States. The complex, designed by Solomon, Cordwell, Buenz and Associates and developed by Urban West Associates, consists of two skyscrapers that share a common townhouse podium.

The taller tower, One Rincon Hill South Tower, was completed in 2008 and stands 60 stories and 641 feet (195 m) tall.The shorter tower, marketed as Tower Two at One Rincon Hill, was completed in 2014 and reaches a height of 541 feet (165 m) with 50 stories. The South Tower contains high-speed elevators with special features for moving residents effectively, and a large water tank designed to help the skyscraper withstand strong winds and earthquakes. Both skyscrapers and the townhomes contain a total of 709 residential units.

The building site, located right next to the western approach of the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge, formerly contained a clock tower. The clock tower was demolished shortly after the city approved the One Rincon Hill project. Construction of the townhomes and the South Tower lasted from 2005 to 2008, but was stopped for brief periods of time due to seismic concerns and a construction accident. As the South Tower neared completion, it generated controversy concerning view encroachment, high pricing, and architectural style.

History

Prelude

The 183 ft (56 m) triangle-section clock tower, owned by Union 76 and then Bank of America, was built on the site circa 1955. After the Transbay Plan the city changed the zoning in the Rincon Hill neighborhood and raised height limits. A second version of One Rincon Hill was proposed in response to these zoning changes, in which the height was increased to 60 stories. The second version project was approved by the city on August 4, 2005. Before construction of One Rincon Hill, the clock tower was razed to make way for the construction of the towers.

South Tower

Three months after San Francisco approved the project, construction began on the South Tower with a groundbreaking ceremony on November 10, 2005. The South Tower was the second-tallest tower under construction in San Francisco.

July 2006 construction accident

Construction site and tower crane as of July 16, 2006, a few days before the accident.

On July 21, 2006, a metal construction deck collapsed sometime around 10:45 AM (UTC−7). Two carpenters and two ironworkers were injured when they fell about 30 feet ( 2.5 stories ) feet (6 m) along with the deck, sending all four men to the hospital. Three of the men were released that afternoon; one of the ironworkers was kept at the hospital with his leg broken in two places, a broken ankle, and a broken shoulder.

Progress

The South Tower was completed in September 2008, with all residential floors ready for residents.As of, April 2009, 70% of the South Tower’s 376 luxury units and 14 townhouses had been sold.Because of the occupancy rate and low profits so far, the developers had initially refused to pay $5.4 million in development fees that would be spent on rent subsidies, job training programs and community development in the South of Market area. However, the developers finally agreed to pay the city.

North Tower

North tower under construction in June 2013

The remaining north tower was scheduled to begin construction after summer 2008 and be completed in 2009. Originally, construction was supposed to commence in January 2008. Later, the developer mentioned construction was going start in March, but the construction firm wasn’t selected at that time. After March, the developer said construction was going to start in May 2008. However, following the worldwide financial crisis of the late summer and fall of 2008, the project’s developers announced that construction of the second tower was indefinitely on hold. With improving economic conditions in the city, construction started on this tower on October 2012;  its first residents moved in August 2014.The north tower has now become The Harrison.

Tower Two at One Rincon Hill Releases Pricing, Floor Plans

he time has finally come for Tower Two at One Rincon Hill to show itself off to the world. The leasing office is now open and we have all the details on every unit. Designed by Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB) architects, the 49-story tower has 298 units that are slated for LEED Silver. The units are between 613 to more than 3,200 square feet, with an average of 1,136 per square foot. That average makes it the largest average square footage for lease currently on the market. As expected, the units are luxury rentals that have fancy schmancy finishes and interior highlights like Studio Becker cabinetry and air conditioning. Select residences have walk-in closets, single or dual balconies and bonus rooms. One bedrooms start at $3,300 per month, two bedrooms start at $5,500 per month, and three bedrooms will start at $9,900 per month. Building amenities include a “Sky Lounge” on the 49th floor that’s 3,200 square feet and has a private dining room and a private catering kitchen. Renters will also have access to two fitness facilities and the outdoor heated lap pool.