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Design update for 201 Folsom (sister to Infinity): fewer units, more family housing and open space
Summary
Staff and the project sponsor presented revised designs for 201 Folsom (314 Main) reducing units from 725 to 671, cutting parking from 1,010 to 701, and increasing 2– and 3‑bedroom units and resident open space; the informational hearing will be followed by director and design-review approvals at permitting.
At an informational hearing on Feb. 9 the Planning Department and project sponsors presented a revised design for 201 Folsom (also referenced as 314 Main), the companion project to the Infinity tower, noting changes since the original 2003 approvals.
Planning staff (Corey T.) said the relocation of an adjacent USPS sorting facility eliminated the need to accommodate up to 272 postal parking spaces in the podium, enabling a lowered podium, improved ground-floor retail depths, and more active street edges. Staff said the revised design remains within the envelope of the original approval but will require additional design review when building-permit applications are filed.
Sponsor Carl Shannon (Tishman Speyer) and the project architect presented key changes: total residential units reduced from 725 to 671; total parking reduced from approximately 1,010 to 701 while maintaining a 1:1 parking-to-residential-unit ratio; a marked increase in two- and three‑bedroom units (including 92 three-bedroom units and a larger number of two-bedrooms), and a 68% increase in resident open space. Architects showed a lowered podium with green roofs and mid‑block landscaped pedestrian connections that they said would better integrate the project into the Transbay and Rincon Hill context.
Commissioners praised the presentation for its contextual analysis and the move toward larger family units. Staff reiterated that, under the previous entitlement, the Planning Director retains authority to approve final design after the informational hearing subject to conditions and that further design and permit review will follow.
