Port approves two‑year license for Institute of Contemporary Art at Pier 24 Annex

SAN FRANCISCO — The Port Commission voted unanimously to approve a two‑year license allowing the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA San Francisco) to use Pier 24 Annex as a free public exhibition space and to facilitate public and private events.

Scott Lancel, deputy real estate director for the Port, described the facility as roughly 27,000 square feet with a current occupancy limit of 93 people under building‑code classifications. Under the proposed license (Resolution 2577), ICA would pay a monthly license fee of $10,000 (payable semiannually by staff description) and share net event revenue with the Port. Staff said the license targets a commencement date of Jan. 1, 2026, and includes mutual termination provisions allowing either party to end the arrangement with six months’ notice if a long‑term tenant surfaces.

Allie Gass, founding director and chief curator of ICA San Francisco, told commissioners the organization intends to run free public exhibitions and educational programming and to use events to help fund operations. "We are really thrilled at the prospect of this partnership and the potential to activate Pier 24," Gass said.

Commissioners focused questions on occupancy and event permitting. Staff said temporary event permits would be required for gatherings that exceed the 93‑person daily occupancy limit; those permits would establish life‑safety and temporary measures — such as fire watch — needed for higher‑attendance events.

Why it matters: Pier 24 Annex is on the City’s art trail strategy for the waterfront; activating the space with free exhibitions is intended to increase public access to large‑scale artworks while generating modest revenue to maintain the property.

The motion passed unanimously.