Plans for the historic Warfield Building at 988 Market Street in San Francisco’s Mid-Market area have taken an exciting turn. Originally considered for residential conversion, the nine-story structure is now set to become Warfield Commons, a vibrant cultural hub. This transformation is spearheaded by the Community Arts Stabilization Trust (CAST) and KALW Public Media, who jointly announced their vision to create a space dedicated to arts and journalism. This development marks a significant shift from previous plans by Group I, who had initially aimed for a housing conversion in the building.
CAST and KALW finalized the purchase of the Warfield Building from Group I for $7.3 million. Group I’s ownership since 2011 saw them undertake a substantial restoration of the building in 2013. In 2022, they made headlines with their proposal for a partial office-to-housing conversion, a pioneering project in San Francisco amidst rising office vacancy rates.
Conceptual office interior for 988 Market Street, courtesy of CAST San Francisco
Conceptual design of the office space inside 988 Market Street, provided by CAST San Francisco, illustrating the potential for a modern and collaborative environment.
Now, CAST takes the lead as the majority owner and property manager. They will dedicate a floor to office space and support facilities for arts organizations. KALW Public Media will occupy 11,000 square feet across two floors, establishing new broadcast studios, offices, classrooms, and training areas. These facilities will cater to educators, formerly incarcerated individuals, and journalism professionals, fostering growth and opportunity within the field. The remaining space within Warfield Commons is intended for lease to other local media and literary organizations, creating a collaborative ecosystem.
Ken Ikeda, CEO of CAST, emphasized the importance of Warfield Commons in a public statement, highlighting the critical role of arts and journalism in society. He stated, “Journalism, storytelling and the arts have been identified as threats because they are so vital to establishing cultural narratives and understanding. We must continue to lift them up.” Ikeda also addressed the financial hurdles nonprofits often face in securing real estate, noting, “these are the buildings that nonprofits lose out on for lack of finances, ready tenants, or complicated partnerships… We’ve experienced first-hand rejection even with proof of funds because nonprofits are seen as unsustainable. This simply isn’t true. KALW is 83 years old and has never been stronger.”
The Warfield Building, a nine-story structure, offers approximately 48,300 square feet of space. The earlier residential conversion plans by Group I envisioned 45 apartments on levels five through nine, while retaining office space on the lower floors. This new direction towards a cultural hub represents a significant change in the building’s future and its contribution to the city.
988 Market Street as seen on Google Street View
Street view of 988 Market Street, San Francisco, showcasing the Warfield Building’s exterior and its location within the urban landscape.
KALW, an educational NPR member station licensed by the San Francisco Unified School District, has been broadcasting across the Bay Area since its inception in San Francisco in 1941. James Kass, Executive Director of KALW, expressed the station’s commitment to the city, stating, “KALW is from here and we will stay here. The Warfield Commons is a chance for people from the Bay Area to tell the real stories of their communities, coming from the heart of the City.”
Adjacent to the Warfield Building is the Warfield Theater, a 2,300-seat venue built in 1922. This historic theater continues to be a prominent entertainment destination, hosting well-known musicians and adding to the cultural vibrancy of San Francisco’s Theater District.
The San Francisco Community Investment Fund, a non-profit financial institution supported by the City and County of San Francisco, has pledged $17 million to support the Warfield Commons project. This financial commitment underscores the city’s dedication to fostering arts, journalism, and community development in the Mid-Market neighborhood, ensuring that the stories and voices from all walks of life, the true Cast Of Streets Of San Francisco, have a platform to be heard.
