40 FOR 40: Alexander Residence - 2004

 

One could argue that the genesis of the push for marriage equality in California began in spring of 2004 when then-San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom ordered the City to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Meanwhile, Britney Spears’ “Toxic” topped the charts, and at the box office, Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 911 became the biggest grossing documentary in history. The Boston Red Sox won the World Series for the first time in 86 years.

At AND, we completed work on a milestone $8.5 million renovation of Alexander Residence, a historic 179-unit, 12-story single-room occupancy (SRO) hotel in the Tenderloin. AND was hired to update the 1920s-era hotel for client Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corp. with construction by San Francisco industry pioneer Cahill Contractors, Inc.

The restoration consisted of hazardous materials abatement, new storefront entry, a new multipurpose room and kitchenette, improvements to the lobby and commercial spaces, laundry room, social services offices, conversion of 18 units to full ADA-disabled access compliance and new accessible restrooms in the common areas. Other building system upgrades included new electrical power and distribution, an on-site underground transformer, code-compliant fire sprinklers and fire alarm, ventilation, new heating, boiler and residential hot water storage tanks, windows and finishes.

The Alexander was occupied during the course of the renovation which required phasing of the work and installation of a construction lift to separate the daily flow of residents from construction activities. AND’s community process included extensive meetings with residents and staff to gather input on the design of the lobby and community spaces, and to keep all informed on the impacts and changes resulting from the renovation.

40 for 40: Jelani Mission Recovery House - 1986

The year was etched in humankind’s collective memory by some of history’s darkest moments:  the world’s worst nuclear accident occurred in Chernobyl; US President Ronald Reagan ordered military air attacks on Libyan “terrorist centers,” and millions watched in horror as US Space Shuttle Challenger exploded after launching, killing all crew aboard.

That year also had its lighter and more positive moments: Nintendo released its blockbuster Super Mario Brothers while Oprah made her eponymous debut and pop stars Whitney Houston, Lionel Richie and Prince ruled the airwaves. And in San Francisco,  a facility currently known as Jelani Mission Recovery House, the Women’s Alcoholism Center, opened an innovative residential treatment center for women and their children.

The center’s goal was to specifically address women’s alcohol problems while breaking the intergenerational cycle of alcohol abuse by including children in the treatment.   At the time, a facility where women could live with their children in a structured and sober environment was relatively radical.  Director Rhonda Ceccato wanted to create a comprehensive program “to encourage abstinence as a way of life while maintaining family unity.”

AND played a key role searching for, and identifying a site—a double-wide lot with an existing structure—and converting it into a residence for 21 women and children.  On the other half of the site, AND designed offices, child care facilities and therapy rooms, totaling 3,400 SF.  Knitting the two buildings together is a courtyard that maximizes natural light in both and provides entry into ground-floor community rooms. A landscaped yard with play structure for the child care program was designed by Miller Company Landscape Architects.  In creating a safe space comprised of separate but related buildings, the Mission Recovery House provides an atmosphere where women in recovery are supported and live with dignity.  AND is proud of its work helping women and children overcome substance abuse while supporting family stability.

40 for 40: Dottie's True Blue Cafe' - 2010

The ground-breaking Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act which changed the face of healthcare access in the US was signed into law by President Barack Obama. The bill “set in motion reforms that generations of Americans have fought for," said the president, adding that “the legislation enshrines into law the ‘core principle’ that everyone should have…health care security.”

Dottie’s True Blue Café, formerly the Passion Café - Bistro on the corner of 6th and Stevenson in SoMa,is an exemplary model for transforming blighted spaces (in this case a liquor store and a predatorylender/pawn shop) into bustling businesses. Tenant improvements included accessible (via new elevator) basement, ground floor and roof-top dining levels.

When existing interior and exterior plaster was peeled back, hidden gems such as historic and intricate wood articulation, fenestrations and clever designs were brought to light. As these original elements were revealed, they became the driving force >behind the new café’s design, restoration and revival. Working closely with the café’s owner/general contractor allowed AND to execute our intentions in great detail, and provide a full menu of schematic, development, construction documents and administration services.

40 for 40: Madison Park Apartments - 1996

The Spice Girls were asking us to “Tell me what you want, what you really, really want,” in their breakout hit “Wannabe” while aliens blew up the White House in summer blockbuster “Independence Day” in 1996.  In the same year, the architecture staff at AND won a prestigious design award for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Historic Preservation from the California Preservation Foundation for its work renovating the historically significant Madison Park Apts. in Oakland for East Bay Asian Local Development Corp. (EBALDC), one of our longstanding partners.

Built in 1908, the Madison Park Apts. was the largest wooden structure west of the Mississippi.  Heavily damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta quake, the structure remained vacant until EBALDC acquired it and began renovation in 1994 with the help of AND and Brannagh Construction.  On the National Register of Historic Places, the project’s financing included historic preservation tax credits.  Improvements included seismic, plumbing and electrical upgrades, restoration of historical detailing and provision of accessibility for five apartments, all public spaces and entryway. With a total of 98 studios and one- and two-bedroom residences, the Madison Park Apts. are a prime example of revitalized affordable housing close to a rich confluence of cultural resources and public transit.  Conveniently located across the street from the Lake Merritt BART station, the apartments are within walking distance of the Oakland Museum, schools and parks.  The apartments also offer residents and community organizations a large community meeting room and leases space to the Oakland Unified School District, which provides adult ESL and computer classes there as well.

Trainees on Site in the Bayview

This training cycle, our construction trainees are doing something a little different.With the help of SF Public Utiilities Commission, they are constructing an emergency shed at the South East Community Facility Center on Oakdale Street in the Bayview. Not only are the students learning hands-on, fundamental framing and cladding techniques, they have the unique opportunity to learn how install and pour a concrete slab on site. For more photos of our students on site click here to check out their work