The story of every major city is a story of change, and the story of the Bay Area’s major downtowns following the pandemic has been no different. This year’s annual ULI San Francisco’s 2023 Gala, held at the Julia Morgan Ballroom in downtown San Francisco on September 21st, highlights these “Downtown Rebounds.” Leading up to the Gala, we are sharing stories of the challenges and triumphs of our regional urban hubs and the individuals and movements that are breathing life back into them. After visiting Oakland and San José, the next stop on this tour is San Francisco!

San Francisco has long been a boom-and-bust town. From rising after the 1906 earthquake and fires to the summer of love, and the tech boom and bust…. San Francisco’s downtown is undergoing a change that will define its next chapter. With nearly 30% office vacancy, supportive services and businesses alike are pushed to reimagine Downtown. Yet with any challenge, comes opportunity. With unsurpassed transit access, an abundance of commercial buildings looking for new tenants and uses, and opportunities for creative activation of public space, downtown San Francisco is in a strong position to build upon its physical assets and transform the downtown into a resilient, welcoming, and economically vibrant central neighborhood.

ULI SF continues to partner with the City and County of San Francisco to provide technical assistance and support through this transformative time. In May 2023, ULI San Francisco hosted a multi-day Advisory Services Panel of renowned experts in land use, real estate development, policy, urban planning, government, and economics that held in-depth interviews with local stakeholders and deliberated on potential courses of action for the City to consider. Their work produced a series of short and near-term policy recommendations to aid San Francisco’s downtown rebound. A full list of recommendations can be found here.

In addition to working on policy recommendations at the City level, a series of new live music events have already started to re-energize Downtown San Francisco. Take, for instance, the Bhangra & Beats Night Market, which transforms a trio of city blocks around Battery and Clay Streets. The event, which occurs on select Fridays throughout the year, boasts a range of culinary experiences, from traditional Indian street food to inventive fusion fare, along with a diverse array of drinks. To round off the experience, international and local artists fill the air with live music and dance performances well into the night. Downtown San Francisco also hosts Plaza Palooza at Levi’s Plaza, a free monthly concert series scheduled on the last Friday of each month. Located in the heart of Downtown San Francisco, Plaza Palooza shines the spotlight on various local musicians, providing a stage for emerging talent and established performers.

On the culinary front, Downtown San Francisco is preparing to welcome several high-profile restaurants and bar owners. The acclaimed team behind beloved hotspots The Treasury and Beehive, including Tristen Philippart De Foy, is preparing to unveil their latest venture, Heartwood, nestled in the heart of the Financial District. The iconic 42-story One Sansome is about to open the doors to Holbrook House, a culinary gem run by seasoned local hospitality professional Philip Spiegel, further adding to the downtown’s vibrant dining scene. Esteemed chef and television star Tyler Florence is also poised to enthrall food enthusiasts with a new three-tiered, 8,000-square-foot Wayfare Tavern. Among the big names to join the culinary fold is Smithsonian-recognized Master Chef Helene “Mama” An, who will launch a new edition of her much-loved Crustacean restaurant in the core of downtown.

Adding an international flair to the mix is Chotto Matte, a London-born Nikkei restaurant famed for its dynamic fusion of Japanese and Peruvian cuisine. The San Francisco outpost will occupy the rooftop of 100 Stockton Street in Union Square, offering breathtaking views of the city skyline and a modern, vibrant ambiance. Continuing the wave of new additions is Corzetti, an Italian restaurant set to open in Union Square. Named after Liguria’s coin-shaped pasta, Corzetti aims to delight patrons with seafood, grilled meats, pizzas, and fresh, handmade pasta unique to the northern regions of Italy. Its full bar will serve Italian wines, cocktails, and beers, adding to its charm. With additional exciting openings like Core Club and The Harlequin, Downtown San Francisco is slowly expanding itself as a food and cultural hub.

We’re excited to celebrate these new additions and leverage ULI’s efforts to continue the conversation in reimagining downtown – to uplift the things we love about downtown San Francisco and work on the areas of opportunity and change. This year’s ULI SF’s Gala is purposely being held at the Julia Morgan Ballroom, a pioneer in one of San Francisco’s many reimagining and rebuilding efforts.

Join us on September 21 to celebrate all the downtowns that are rebounding and our wonderful members and guests of ULI SF! Register today to secure your ticket for this not-to-be-missed event!