Preliminary permits have been submitted for a major redevelopment project that would transform the historic Alexandria Theater at 5400 Geary Boulevard in San Francisco's Richmond District. The ambitious proposal calls for demolishing the currently vacant theater building and replacing it with an eight-story mixed-use complex featuring for-sale housing units and a ground-floor café. Timespace Group, the current property owner, is spearheading the development project.
The new 81-foot-tall structure is designed to encompass more than 120,880 square feet of total space, with the majority dedicated to residential use. The building plans include 103,870 square feet of housing, 1,710 square feet of ground-level retail space, and 1,440 square feet designated for a ground-floor black-box theater. Additionally, the development will provide parking accommodations for 96 bicycles to encourage sustainable transportation options.
The residential component of the project is expected to yield 83 individual units with varying configurations to meet diverse housing needs. The unit breakdown includes 14 one-bedroom apartments, 51 two-bedroom units, and 18 three-bedroom residences. In accordance with San Francisco's affordable housing requirements, ten units will be deed-restricted as affordable housing, specifically designated for eight low-income households and two moderate-income households.
Despite the demolition plans, developers have committed to preserving several distinctive architectural elements that define the theater's historic character. According to the application documents, the exterior marquee, interior sunburst chandelier, Art Deco murals, and bas-relief panels will all be carefully preserved and incorporated into the new housing development. These historic features will be meticulously maintained, repaired, or replaced to match the original materials, dimensions, finish, profile, and details. The theater's iconic blade sign, which was unfortunately demolished in early 2023, will be completely rebuilt as part of the project.
The development team includes several prominent architectural and design firms working collaboratively on the project. G7A serves as the primary project architect, while Fletcher Studio has been selected as the landscape architect responsible for outdoor spaces and green design elements. Aaron Jon Hyland of Placemaking SF is listed as the preservation architect involved in maintaining the historic elements, with Architectural Resources Group providing specialized conservation services. The ground floor design will feature three larger apartments with stoops facing 18th Avenue, intended to enhance pedestrian activity and create a more vibrant streetscape.
This redevelopment project is made possible through a special use district that the city established specifically for this unique location last year. The Alexandria Theater Special Use District was officially approved to allow density bonuses and modifications to existing zoning controls, specifically enabling residential development within the special use district boundaries. This targeted zoning change demonstrates the city's commitment to adaptive reuse of historic properties while addressing housing needs.
The 0.35-acre property is strategically located along Geary Boulevard between 18th Avenue and 19th Avenue, positioning it within a well-connected area of the Richmond District. However, the estimated construction costs and projected timeline for completing the development have not yet been disclosed by the developers or city planning officials.
