Office-to-Housing Conversion News

Our Principal, Stephen Buchholz, recently sat down with Kevin Truong from The San Francisco Standard, as well as Jay Mancini and Roderick Roche from G&M Realty Ventures, to discuss office conversion opportunities in San Francisco.

Read the article
https://sfstandard.com/business/doom-scoop-real-estate-investors-spy-opportunity-in-san-franciscos-bleak-market/

While the diverse cities, beautiful landscapes, and generally warm weather make California a desirable place for many, the state historically carries a higher risk of experiencing a natural disaster than nearly anywhere else in the United States, according to FEMA data. Check out this article in ARCHITECT Magazine on why San Francisco’s 181 Fremont is widely considered to be one of the most earthquake-resistant buildings in the world.

"The visual flash of silvery metal is all the more satisfying because it is rooted in structural needs: The thick diagonal strokes form the exoskeleton that holds the building’s weight, locks it into the ground and gives added seismic protection. The break two-thirds of the way upward serves a purpose, too: It helps reduce aerodynamic tension on the shaft while providing an ultra-luxe aerie for the residents above (office space is below)," said John King.

Web Link: San Francisco Chronicle 

Heller Manus Architects is pleased to announce that the firm has received Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) National certification as a minority-owned firm.  This was achieved by the recent acquisition of majority ownership by two of the firm’s Principals, Qian Yi, CEO and Richard Kozono, President.  Our diverse team strives to provide innovative design solutions and direct relationships with all our clients over a broad range of building types and scales.  We look forward to using this milestone to broaden our work as a value-added service through applying for publ

The Silicon Valley Business Journal honors the best in real estate projects each year with the Structures Awards. For 2021, the 909 Kifer / Fortinet Headquarters won the Structures Awards in the Office/R&D Build Project category.

Heller Manus joint team recently won the First Prize in the International Competition for the Strategic Planning and Conceptual Urban Design of Wuxi Xiyan Lake Ecological Science and Technology City in China. This project is sponsored by the People’s Government of Luoshe Town, Huishan District, Wuxi City. 

Congratulations to the design team!

Link: Announcement on the International Consultation Plan of "Wuxi Xiyan Lake Ecological Science and Technology City"

The PBS NOVA series had a program on High-Rise Life Safety that highlighted our 181 Fremont project.  The program premiered both nationally and locally on KQED on January 5, 2022.

On August 13, Join Principal Qian (Kevin) Yi for AIA San Francisco's International Architect Talk 2: Effective International Competition Strategies in Asia and Case Study. Learn More and Register Here: https://aiasf.org/event/international-architect-talk-2-effective-international-competition-strategies-in-asia-and-case-study/

909 Kifer, Fortinet's new four-story, 172,740 SF corporate headquarters in Sunnyvale, is on track to receive its final certificate of occupancy in October 2021.
 

181 Fremont, a mixed-use tower and the tallest residential building on the West Coast has achieved LEED Platinum Certification. https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/539508701/jay-paul-company-s-181-fremont-achieves-leed-platinum-certification

181 Fremont is named the best building of the decade by SF Chronicle. 

John King (2019) 'The decade’s best buildings in a changing SF: 12 structures and spaces that redefine San Francisco — and the lessons that they teach.'   San Francisco Chronicle 12/17/19   The decade’s 12 best buildings in a changing San Francisco (sfchronicle.com)

Heller Manus joint team recently won First Prize in the International Competition for Taihu Science City Strategic Planning and Conceptual Urban Design project sponsored by the Suzhou Planning Bureau in China. Congratulations to the design team!

Link: Announcement on the evaluation results of the international proposal solicitation for "Taihu Science City"

181 Fremont received Honorable Mention in the Mixed-Use Architecture category for the 2020 Architecture MasterPrize. Congratulations to Design Principal Jeffrey Heller and the project team! https://architectureprize.com/winners/winner.php?id=1913&mode=hm&compID=12791

Heller Manus project, 350 Bush, has received two 2020 Gold Nugget Award Grand Prizes for Best Commercial Project 20,000 SF and Best Rehabilitation Project. Two other HM projects have received the Gold Nugget Award of Merit in two categories: Menlo Gateway for Best Commercial Project — 20,000 SF and 181 Fremont for Best Mixed-Use Project — High Rise. Congrats to Design Principal Jeffrey Heller and the project teams!

181 Fremont featured in The Architect's Newspaper: “In San Francisco, Heller Manus Architects has designed 181 Fremont, which makes cunning use of a structurally integrated damping system."   https://archpaper.com/2020/05/facades-a-new-class-of-us-towers-celebrate-structural-lines/

Following San Francisco Mayor London Breed’s new 3/16/20 city-wide “shelter-in-place” mandate, Heller Manus employees are successfully working and collaborating remotely from home, with both our clients and staff until the order is lifted.  We are staying in touch with each other by hosting online team meetings using our videoconferencing tools. There are “shelter in place” orders in effect in six counties in the Bay Area affecting nearly 7 million residents.  

HM President/CFO Eric Lundquist and 181 Fremont project featured in BizNOW Magazine article "California Leading Way on Mixed-Use Done Right". https://lnkd.in/gW8JW5j #multifamily #developments #instagram #officebuilding #retail

Heller Manus Board of Directors is pleased to name Stephen Buchholz CEO and Eric Lundquist President, in addition to his CFO title, on 2/3/2020. Stephen has been with the firm for more than 31 years and as the Director of Project Management has led diverse project types, including residential, commercial, data centers, performing arts venues, and religious centers. Eric has a 41-year career in architecture, over 31 of which has been with Heller Manus, he has led as a design director, master planner, and project leader for extensive key USA and international projects.

Thanks for the write-up Metropolis Magazine! 181 Fremont is one of the safest and most sustainable buildings in the United States. #LEEDPlatinum, REDi-Gold, full elevator evacuation #OEE, and beautiful design combine to create a new SF icon. #sustainablebuildings #architecture https://lnkd.in/gvxxyeD