Zephyr SOMA/SoBe Blog

SOMA Grand or Not-So-Grand?

The corner of Mission and 7th got a big spruce-up with the construction of the new Federal Building, which opened in 2007. Just down the block from that is the new Soma Grand, a condo project that offers a cool set of amenities as part of the monthly dues: twice-a-month housekeeping service, wine tasting, and a hot tub on the roof.

John King of the Chronicle, the guy who writes about architecture, chimes in with his take on the building, and the verdict is not so good. Sprinkled with words like "slab," "ungainly," "just flat concrete," and "just business," the article paints a boring picture of Mission Street's latest residential project.

Will the look deter buyers? Bring them in? The outcome remains to be seen.

One Rincon Tower

Recently, Carl Nolte wrote a column in the San Francisco Chronicle about the water tank which will be installed on top of One Rincon to counteract wind.  For those of you who may have missed that article and are interested in the One Rincon complex or interested in condominiums in other high rise buildings where wind many be factor with which to contend, click here to read the article.

Nolte writes, "The roof of the almost-finished One Rincon Hill condo tower seems like the very top of San Francisco.  Though it is not the biggest building in the city, One Rincon is the tallest thing south of the main business district, and it stands alone, like a beacon."

Nolte further writes, "One Rincon at First and Harrison streets is the first and the higher of two towers to be built atop Rincon Hill.  Both are on a hilltop with no buildings of the same size nearby to break the wind."

Check back for more information on new developments in SoMa.

Sam Vitkoski

SoMa Specialist

SF Business Times Article - SF Condos looking solid

In a recent edition of the San Francisco Business Times J.K. Dineen wrote an article about the condo market in the city.  Unfortunately, I cannot insert a link to the article.  However, for prospective buyers interested in the condo market, I recommend the article.

Dineen wrote "More than 2,500 new condominiums across the city will be move-in ready this year.  On Rincon Hill some 700 new homeowners will take occupancy in the Infinity and One Rincon Hill.  In Mission Bay', Intracorp's green Arterra will take root, and the first phase of Nat Bosa's Radiance should open.  On the other side of Market Street will be the Hayes, Symphony Towers and the Argenta."  Dineen further wrote that "industry observers will be watching closely for defectors.  What percentage of buyers will walk away from the 3% deposit put down when the unit went into contract?"  I recommend the article. 

Check back in the next few weeks.  My colleagues and I will be writing about sales in specific buildings, incentives offered in selected buildings, and new sales offices opening.  I also suggest for your reading pleasure an earlier post by my colleague, Virginia Thackwell. in which she cited reasons for engaging a buyer's agent to represent in the purchase of a home in a new development.

Sam Vitkoski

SoMa Specialist

Great news, coffee lovers of SOMA

Great news, coffee lovers of SOMA - Blue Bottle Coffee has opened its first cafe this week!  In addition to their micro-roasted organic brew, the cafe will be serving a full breakfast & dinner menu, and some lunch snacks, too.  Menu items include a pancetta souffle ($9.50) & morel poached eggs ($8).  There will also be a small offering of wine & beer.  Hours are Mon - Fri from 7am - 7pm; Sat from 8am to 8pm; Sun from 8am to 4pm.   The cafe is located at 66 Mint Plaza (@ Jessie St) - where you can also find the Martin Building Company's swanky Mint Lofts..and where several other restaurants, including Chez Papa, will be opening later in '08.

You can check out interior photos of the cafe on Flickr:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/13346512@N03/

In doing a little investigation for this blog, my favorite find was Blue Bottle's description of Mint Plaza:  "We will be opening on a formerly pee-smelling alley on the corner of Mint and Jessie in downtown San Francisco now excitingly called Mint Plaza. We will be serving toast, a few snacks, maybe a glass of wine in the evening. Oh, and coffee."  Formerly pee-smelling alley....I love it....

To learn more about Blue Bottle, click here:  http://www.bluebottlecoffee.net/   

To learn more about Mint Plaza, click here: http://www.mintplazasf.org/

Vicki Valandra