1180 Fourth Street marks the corner of 4th & Channel streets as a gateway to San Francisco’s Mission bay South, and the future Fourth Street Retail district. This setting carries civic obligations unusual for an affordable housing project: it demands a welcoming mixed-use street frontage with richly articulated architecture to define the character of this emerging neighborhood.
© Bruce Damonte
The design for 1180 Fourth breaks from the formulaic pattern of most Mission Bay development in two critical ways:
© Bruce Damonte
-The perimeter block is made permeable witha large entry courtyard set at grade,visible through a double-height portico and a glass community room.
© Bruce Damonte
Not only does this provide an articulated profile and civic face to Channel Park and the Fourth Street Bridge, it enables views and light to the interior of the block, and creates a secure, landscaped entry sequence for residents.
© Bruce Damonte
-Rather than subsume the mixed street level uses with in a homogenous architectural language, we use them to instigate diverse architectural responses above. The resultant design amplifies the distinct character of the four surrounding streets that the ground floor uses help initiate.
© Bruce Damonte
Inside, gracious day-lit common spaces and hallways access a diverse mix of one, two, and three bedroom dwellings. Common areas include a teen room, computer lab, fitness room, flex rooms, and the community room with kitchen. The courtyards include a turf field for play and outdoor movies, BBQ, community garden plots, and secure play areas for family childcare units.
Project Info
Architects: Kennerly Architecture and Planning, Mithun
Country: United States, San Francisco
Area: 216000 ft²
Year: 2014
Photographs: Bruce Damonte
Executive Architect: Mithun-Solomon
Associate Design Architect: Kennerly Architecture and Planning
Associate Architect: Full Circle Architects
Retail Area: 10,000 sq ft
Community Space: 4,000 sq ft
Housing: 184,000 sq ft
Madeline Brooks is a Projects Editor at Arch2O, where she has been shaping and refining architectural content since March 2024. With over a decade of experience in editorial work, she has curated, revised, and published an array of projects covering architecture, urbanism, and public space design. A graduate of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Madeline brings a strong academic foundation and a discerning editorial eye to each piece she oversees. Since joining Arch2O, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the platform’s editorial direction, with a focus on sustainability, social relevance, and cutting-edge design. Madeline excels at translating complex architectural ideas into clear, engaging stories that resonate with both industry professionals and general readers. She works closely with architects, designers, and global contributors to ensure every project is presented with clarity, depth, and compelling visual narrative. Her editorial leadership continues to elevate Arch2O’s role in global architectural dialogue.