The Potrero Hill Innovation Center is a state-of-the-art light industrial and research & development (R&D) facility located on 16th Street in San Francisco, within the city’s historic manufacturing corridor. Designed to expand urban R&D capacity, the project supports PDR-1-D uses and strengthens innovation infrastructure along a major multimodal transit corridor.
BKF provided comprehensive civil engineering and site development services, including the replacement of an existing 30,000-square-foot structure with a six-story, split-level podium building and integrated parking garage. The new development delivers approximately 145,000–150,000 square feet of flexible R&D space, optimized for advanced research, prototyping, and light industrial operations.
The facility features below-grade parking, multimodal access, and high-quality amenities such as a rooftop deck, bicycle parking, and close proximity to public transit, supporting sustainable transportation and workforce accessibility. Civil design solutions addressed complex urban constraints, including zoning setbacks, height limits, daylighting requirements, and access coordination, while integrating seamlessly with the broader architectural and engineering team.
A key sustainability feature of the project is its innovative rooftop stormwater management system. Green and conventional roof runoff is routed to a mid-level planter terrace, effectively managing flow and reducing runoff volumes in compliance with the SFPUC Stormwater Control Plan. This environmentally sensitive approach supports both regulatory compliance and community benefit.
BKF’s scope also included 3D site scanning, site grading, frontage improvements (sidewalks, curb ramps, and driveways), and the design of new utility services, including storm drainage, sewer, and domestic water systems. Together, these efforts helped deliver a resilient, high-performance R&D facility that enhances San Francisco’s innovation ecosystem while respecting its urban context.
