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Commission approves conversion of approved mixed-use tower to 401-room hotel at 555 Howard
Summary
The Planning Commission unanimously approved a downtown project authorization and conditional use authorization to convert a previously approved mixed-use tower to a hotel at 555 Howard Street, including a publicly accessible rooftop and conditions addressing POPOS access and mitigation measures (6–0).
The Planning Commission on Sept. 24 approved a downtown project authorization and conditional use authorization to establish a 401‑room hotel at 555 Howard Street, a proposal that replaces a previously approved mixed‑use project and removes residential uses and off‑street parking.
Planning Department staff described the proposal as a revised iteration of a 2017 approval: the current design would create approximately 374,000 gross square feet of hotel use, including about 401 guest rooms, ground‑floor restaurant space and a publicly accessible rooftop open space (POPOS) on Level 36. Nick Foster of the Planning Department said the department found the project consistent with the Transbay Transit Center District plan and the programmatic EIR for that plan, and noted that a transportation impact study was prepared to address the change in land use from residential to hotel uses.
Patricia Yeh, presenting for the project sponsor, said the hotel is targeted to open by the end of 2024 and that the sponsor eliminated residential uses to achieve more efficient building systems. Chelsea Fordham from the Environmental Planning Division confirmed that a new transportation impact study and mitigation measures were prepared to reflect the change to an all‑hotel program.
Public testimony included support from the flower market tenant community and labor advocates noting commitments to local hiring and construction labor. Commissioners pressed the sponsor on POPOS access and hours; staff explained POPOS obligations under Planning Code Section 138 and signage and enforcement procedures.
After discussion about market viability for hotels amid COVID‑19, commissioners moved to approve the project with the staff‑recommended conditions. The project passed on a unanimous 6–0 vote.
