San Francisco shipyard to have new life as office complex

The Port of San Francisco has launched an ambitious development plan to turn the massive Pier 70 into a new hub for offices targeted for technology and biotechnology innovators. The project plans call for restoration of historic old shipyard buildings and construction of 2.5 million sf of new office space. (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/14/us/14bcpier.html?_r=1)
Aug. 31, 2011

The Port of San Francisco has launched an ambitious development plan to turn the massive Pier 70 into a new hub for offices targeted for technology and biotechnology innovators. The project plans call for restoration of historic old shipyard buildings and construction of 2.5 million sf of new office space. (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/14/us/14bcpier.html?_r=1)

Forest City Development California will plan and develop a 25-acre parcel of the 65-acre Pier 70 to create “a new model of an innovation campus” alongside restored historic buildings and a waterfront park, reports the New York Times. One old building slated for rehab is the Union Iron Works machine shop, an unreinforced brick structure with an open, high-ceilinged interior that was constructed in 1885. Neighborhood activists are lobbying to ensure that new and restored buildings will honor the aesthetics of the area, and not echo suburban office park design prevalent in Silicon Valley. 

About the Author

Drew Ballensky

Drew Ballensky is general manager of Duro-Last Roofing, Inc.’s central U.S. facility in Iowa and company spokesman for Duro-Last’s cool roofing, sustainability and architectural education programs. He is past-president of the Chemical Fabrics and Film Association and chairman of CFFA’s Vinyl Roofing Division. Drew earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial technology from the University of Northern Iowa and master’s degree in business administration from Florida State University. Drew has over 29 years experience in business and industry in various engineering and managerial capacities. He has worked in the U.S. and Canadian operations for a major international manufacturer of pre-engineered steel buildings, was a financial analyst with a major athletic apparel manufacturer and was an owner of a general contracting company.
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