The Julia Morgan Building, a prominent landmark in San Francisco’s Marina District, is now at the center of a contentious debate just six months after it received official landmark status.
Designed by renowned architect Julia Morgan in 1925, the three-story brick structure features stunning terra cotta details and stained glass, serving as a care home since its inception.
The building is operated by the Heritage on the Marina, which has roots going back to 1853 with the San Francisco Ladies Protection and Relief Society, originally established to support women and children impacted by the Gold Rush.
Currently functioning as a senior living facility with a capacity for 86 residents, the Heritage on the Marina intends to expand and renovate the building to ensure its financial viability and address necessary maintenance issues.
However, a group of neighbors, named Save the Marina’s Heritage, have raised concerns that the proposed changes will irreparably damage the site, despite assurances that there will be no significant modifications to the Morgan Building’s exterior.
An environmental impact report corroborates that the planned alterations will eliminate some elements that detract from the building’s historic character, including a poorly designed loading dock.
Nevertheless, opponents of the renovation have initiated an appeal to the city’s Board of Supervisors, using a procedural maneuver that is emblematic of San Francisco’s political climate.
Under the city’s land use regulations, projects requiring special permits can be appealed, allowing the Board to weigh in on what often turns into a politically charged decision.
The Board is expected to make a ruling on the appeal during an upcoming meeting, with many residents anxiously awaiting the outcome.
Hans Baldauf, a Historic Preservation Commissioner, emphasized at an April hearing, “We all as San Franciscans have a stake in this site. This is a very important project to get right.”
The Heritage on the Marina’s proposed $30 million renovation plan aims to add new space to the facility, which would almost double the average room size to around 800 square feet, and increase the resident capacity by 23.
The facility’s leadership contends that these enhancements are crucial for financial sustainability without burdening residents with increased fees.
Randy Gridley, the chair of the Heritage board, stated that they do not want to raise fees “on the backs of our senior residents.”
The renovation will involve demolishing two non-historic structures while preserving the landmark Julia Morgan Building’s exterior.
New construction will adhere to the established height limit of 40 feet for the block, a fact that planners hope will appease neighborhood concerns.
Support for the renovation has come from Page & Turnbull, the historical consulting firm responsible for the restoration of the Ferry Building, which has endorsed the Heritage’s plans.
Woody LaBounty, from San Francisco Heritage, conveyed his organization’s lack of opposition to the project in its current state during the April hearing.
Conversely, members of Save the Marina’s Heritage assert that the proposed expansion will block significant historic views of the Julia Morgan Building, diminishing its visibility from three sides.
Steve Williams, a lawyer representing the coalition, characterized the planned construction as a threat to the iconic structure, dubbing the project “The Monster In the Marina.”
He pointed out that the new buildings, while limited to 40 feet in height, would not include additional rooftop features that may further obstruct sightlines to the landmark.
Williams testified that the construction would overshadow the Morgan Building, potentially relegating it to a secondary status in the urban landscape.
Opponents have also claimed that the Heritage has previously violated land use rules by acquiring nearby rent-controlled properties to expand its care facility campus, raising further community ire.
In 2023, an investigation by the Planning Department was conducted concerning these allegations, ultimately concluding that no violations had occurred.
Williams criticized the Planning Department’s findings, accusing them of neglecting their responsibilities.
While The Heritage has not publicly responded to numerous media inquiries, its attorney, Alan Murphy, released a statement ahead of the Board of Supervisors meeting.
In his response, Murphy noted that the Planning Commission previously approved an environmental review that addressed the shadows and view issues raised by opponents, asserting that the project will not undermine the historical significance of the building.
During the April joint hearing with the Planning Commission, members unanimously supported the environmental review but hesitated on granting full project approval, citing the need for further clarification on project specifics.
The Heritage is now seeking to bypass potential additional reviews by the city’s Architectural Review Board, while opponents are advocating for a complete rejection of the Heritage’s prior approvals.
Past trends in San Francisco suggest that when projects appeal to the Board of Supervisors, a precedent has emerged where decisions increasingly reflect broader political considerations.
A few notable examples, such as the rejection of a proposed 24-story residential tower in 2021, illustrate this shift in approach.
Currently, the trajectory of the Board’s decision on the Heritage project remains uncertain as it approaches the crucial vote.
Supervisor Myrna Melgar expressed uncertainty about her vote, mentioning, “They’re leaving the historic building alone, I’m not sure what else anyone could want,” during a public discussion on housing policies just last week.
Meanwhile, Supervisor Stephen Sherrill, whose district encompasses The Heritage, has been observed monitoring the project but has withheld commentary or opinions on its progression.
The outcome of the upcoming Board of Supervisors hearing will determine the future of the Julia Morgan Building and whether it can be modernized while preserving its historic legacy.
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