550 Kearny Street

Located on the edge of San Francisco’s Financial District and Chinatown, 550 Kearny Street is an address centered in a neighborhood of cultural and business changes.  Montgomery Advisors sought to reposition the property in order to lease office space to a new group of tenants.  As Architect of Record, Huntsman worked with Montgomery and its design-build team to open up the lobby and create a more fluid definition of entrance.  Operable windows were added to open up views and provide natural ventilation.  An expansive green trellis was added to soften the mid-Century structure’s austere facade.

Inside, the lobby is split into two tiers.  At street level, a security kiosk marks the way for visitors and tenants to the elevator bank.  The upper tier provides ample space for formal and casual meetings, wireless working, lunch breaks, and even company events.  Vacant for over 30 years, the revitalized lobby is a hub for building occupants and passersby alike.  Montgomery envisioned a “public lobby” to attract food vendors taking partial residency during peak commute hours in addition to social events hosted by building tenants.  The next phase of work includes a stationary food cart as a focal point of the communal lobby.

In addition to the ground floor lobby, the garage and bicycle parking, elevator cabs and all interior common areas were updated in the building. Over 20 tenant spaces were designed and built out concurrently to the lobby, including three full floor tenants.

Client Montgomery Advisors
Location San Francisco, CA
Scope Lobby Renovation and Common Area Upgrades
Size 10,000 square feet

Credits Photography by Brendan Williams