Considering the Street Level in San Francisco's New Urban District

In examining the question of whether a new high rise development in San Francisco achieves success at street level, John King picks up an age-old, but always relevant, debate.

1 minute read

September 10, 2017, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


San Francisco Construction

Mark Schwettmann / Shutterstock

John King, urban design critic for the San Francisco Chronicle, reviews the Lumina development in the quickly growing neighborhood of Rincon Hill.

King's main concern is that this "vertical neighborhood" managed to improve life at the street level. The summarized assessment: "Now Lumina is complete, and the ground-level moves aren’t nearly as seductive as those in the air. But they’re a strong addition to their surroundings, and likely to get better with age."

At the street level of this pair of 37- and 42-story high-rises and two eight-story buildings: "a parking garage, and the amenity spaces for residents of the 656 condominiums include a climbing wall, a soundproof music studio and a plush screening room."

"Two essential pieces were missing until last month," writes King: "a 9,500-square-foot grocery store, at the corner of Folsom and Main, and a mid-block plaza between Lumina’s south edge and the Bay Area Metro Center. The latter, home to several regional government agencies, occupies a surprisingly inviting remake of an industrial block by Perkins + Will."

King provides an account of the human experience at the street level of the new development, while the development is a relatively new addition to an urban district in the making.

Sunday, September 3, 2017 in San Francisco Chronicle

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

View of Washington state capitol dome in Olympia, Washington at golden hour.

Washington Legislature Passes Rent Increase Cap

A bill that caps rent increases at 7 percent plus inflation is headed to the governor’s desk.

15 minutes ago - Washington State Standard

Low view of Glendale Narrows section of Los Angeles River with concrete bottom and cloudy storm sky over head.

From Planning to Action: How LA County Is Rethinking Climate Resilience

Chief Sustainability Officer Rita Kampalath outlines the County’s shift from planning to implementation in its climate resilience efforts, emphasizing cross-departmental coordination, updated recovery strategies, and the need for flexible funding.

1 hour ago - The Planning Report

Grandparents sitting on bench with young girl and boy, girl holding ball and boy holding ukelele.

New Mexico Aging Department Commits to Helping Seniors Age ‘In Place’ and ‘Autonomously’ in New Draft Plan

As New Mexico’s population of seniors continues to grow, the state’s aging department is proposing expanded initiatives to help seniors maintain their autonomy while also supporting family caregivers.

2 hours ago - Source NM