A Mid-block Office Building in San Francisco Refreshes Its Ground Floor and Basement to Better Connect to Tenants and the Neighborhood

2nd Place, Interior

What started as a proposal to refresh the exit lobby of 45 Fremont, a mid-block office in downtown San Francisco, evolved into a complete reimagining of the ground floor and basement with a tenant experience that meets the needs of a post-pandemic world.

Constructed in 1978, the classic, Modernist office building lacked street presence with an original arcade that wrapped the building.The recessed glass compromised visual connectivity into the ground- floor spaces and the small dueling lobbies were dominated by security thresholds, leaving little room for activation. Underutilized spaces were primed for programming and the opportunity to add amenities that could meet the expectations of the San Francisco office market.

By fusing retail, co-working space and an inviting outdoor experience, the design brought the building’s ground floor to life and repositioned it as a warm, appealing addition to a bustling urban corridor.

With a focus on reinventing underutilized spaces, the Gensler design team employed a hospitality- oriented approach to elevate the tenant experience at 45 Fremont and increase programming on the ground floor. The lobby area was increased by pushing the glass-line out, capturing the arcade and decentralizing security for a more expansive and welcoming experience.

To further activate the ground floor, a variety of amenities were introduced, including spaces for retail. A rejuvenated courtyard is an extension of the lobby and is designed to support events and future food and beverage retailers. The courtyard planters double as seating and a stage, and the space serves as an outdoor lounge with updated landscaping, overhead lighting and a gas fireplace. Open to the public, the courtyard contributes to a thriving streetscape while forging a greater connection between the building and neighborhood.

A once-cavernous 4,400-square-foot area, formerly used solely as the building’s rear exit, was transformed from a pass-through space into a sought-after place for working, gathering and relaxing. This new tenant lounge provides a variety of focus areas, such as phone nooks and a semi-enclosed room with banquette seating for individual and private work, as well as respite. A communal table supports collaborative work while hospitality-infused lounge settings are dispersed throughout the space to support social gatherings, informal meetings and leisure time. The space is also designed to flex for events, which is complemented by its easy access from street level and courtyard adjacencies. A customized wood ceiling and fireplace add warmth to the space.

As the future of the workplace unfolds and the return to offices continues, employees are seeking greater flexibility and choice in their work environments. They’re also looking to bring a sense of home and comfort into the office and make coming to work worth the commute. The tenant lounge successfully accommodates these shifting preferences and offers a unique blend of home and hospitality.

The tenant-only basement level is adorned with bright, colorful environmental graphics, and employee wellness is supported by modern locker rooms equipped with showers and health-club-like offerings, including towel service and toiletries. The basement also boasts ample scooter and bike storage, acknowledging San Francisco’s strong biking community and promoting sustainable commuting.

The team collaboratively tackled the design and technical challenges associated with transforming the building’s ground floor and basement. Technical hurdles included engineering the new frameless glazing to enclose the arcade, waterproofing throughout the courtyard and building perimeter, sloping the terrazzo floor to accommodate existing-level changes, engineering the custom sliding partitions that demise the lobby retail and coordinating the customized ceiling, to name a few.

“Delicate and subtle touch to bring organic references and purpose to lobby space.”
— Joel Anderson, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, design director, associate principal, Cushing Terrell, Metamorphosis Awards judge

PHOTOS: Jason O’Rear unless otherwise noted

Revamped main building entrances showcases the updated lobby and enhances curb appeal.
The drastically increased lobby area creates a third place for tenants to connect, work or even host events. It is complemented by contemporary lighting, a unique ceiling design, and a variety of seating arrangements to support different styles of working.
A semi-enclosed “secret” room in the tenant-only lounge offers space for individual work, private meetings, and respite.
The basement level is brightened with colorful artwork and provides tenants with access to amenities like bike storage, locker rooms, and showers with tower service.
A reimagined courtyard serves as an outdoor lounge for tenants and the community and is designed to support future retailers.
BEFORE: The building’s cavernous rear exit was once an uninspiring pass-through space. PHOTO: Gensler