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OCII approves schematic changes allowing Soma Hotel to convert suites into 49 additional rooms
Summary
OCII conditionally approved amendments to the Block 1 Soma Hotel schematic design to divide suites into individual rooms, increasing capacity by 49 rooms to 299 total; the change is interior only and will not alter the exterior. The commission attached conditions addressing loading operations and material coordination and recorded a unanimous vote.
The Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure commission on Nov. 17 conditionally approved amendments to the Block 1 (Soma) Hotel to convert 28 one‑ and two‑bedroom suites into 49 individual hotel rooms, increasing the total room count from 250 to 299.
Gretchen Heckman, OCII development specialist, said the change will be achieved by interior reconfiguration (moving partitions and adding doors) and will not affect the building’s exterior envelope. The Commission noted the Department of Finance had approved the underlying plan amendment on Nov. 6.
Heckman described two conditions attached to the approval: a site notice of special restrictions for loading operations to ensure safe loading, and coordination with OCII staff on the color and materiality of a screen to conceal loading operations from pedestrians. The division of suites into rooms accounts for 49 additional guest rooms; staff said the overall square footage remains the same.
During public comment, Kevin Carroll of the Hotel Council of San Francisco, Carpentry union representatives and local firms urged approval, citing market changes in hospitality and the importance of preserving union construction jobs and local hiring. Eric Smith, the hotel’s director of operations, said activation and the extent of services upon opening will follow city, state and CDC guidance.
Commissioners asked about activation timing and SBE outreach; staff pointed to ongoing community engagement and SBE efforts including additions to rooftop tenant‑improvement SBE work. Commissioner Mara moved and Commissioner Brackett seconded the item; the roll call vote was recorded as four ayes and Chair Bustos announced the motion carried.
Provenance: OCII staff presentation, public comment from hotel and union representatives, and roll‑call vote recorded in the Nov. 17, 2020 meeting.
