1450 Owens St., San Francisco

About This Project

Nova has been hired as the construction manager for the new office and retail complex located at 1450 Owens Street in the heart of San Francisco. The building is owned by Alexandria Real Estate Equities and will feature a total of 135,600 square feet of prime commercial space, consisting of 133,000 square feet of modern office space and 2,600 square feet of vibrant ground-floor retail. The location of the building is unique, situated next to the I-280 viaduct and serving as the final buildable commercial plot within the prestigious Mission Bay Master Planned District.

The building boasts a stunning, wedge-shaped design that has been crafted to seamlessly integrate with the irregular shape of the site. The facade, composed of a system of sleek aluminum fins and reveals, not only offers environmental benefits but also animates the building form through its three-tiered structure and a series of facade inflections at the east and west faces, as well as projecting volumes at the north and south faces. The design has been carefully considered to address the site’s multidirectional visibility and the complexity of its surrounding context.

An east-facing plaza and open green space lead the way to the main entrance lobby, while a series of multi-story mini atriums accentuate the alternating corners of the building. The north side of the building features a planned open recreational space, offering stunning views of downtown San Francisco and adding visual prominence to the north facade. Overall, the building represents a unique blend of functionality, style, and sustainability, and is sure to make a lasting impact on the San Francisco skyline.