The Armory, the historic brick fortress at the edge of the Mission District that houses the Kink.com porn studio, may be getting taller neighbors in the next few years. Two 7-story projects planned for the block would bring 53 units to the neighborhood.
The two market-rate housing developments going into Mission Street between 14th and 15th streets are a half-block apart and sponsored by the same architect, Stephen Antonaros.
The first, at 1801 Mission St., would sit just across from the Armory building and rise to seven stories, with 17 units on the corner of 14th and Mission streets. The project is 12 two-bedrooms, four studios, and a single one-bedroom. Two of the units are below-market-rate. It could break ground in early 2017, Antonaros said.
The vacant lot is currently used for parking and street vendors also hawk their wares on the corner sidewalk. The project would have 1,420 square feet of ground-floor retail and 1,049 square feet of office space on the second floor, as well as 13 off-street parking spaces.
The other, at 1863 Mission St., would extend through the block from Mission Street to Minna Street in another now-vacant lot. The project goes to seven stories along Mission Street but just four along Minna Street. Those are the height limits for the lot on both sides.
The 1863 Mission St. project would have 36 units, four of which would be below-market-rate. A 1,015 square foot retail space would go on the ground-floor, and then project would have 18 off-street parking spaces. It would break ground after 1801 Mission St.
The 1863 Mission St. project will go before the Planning Commission on October 27, but the other project requires no commission hearing unless opposition to it emerges. No one has yet organized against the projects, and Antonaros said he had heard no complaints from the neighbors.
Erick Arguello, the president of the neighborhood association Calle 24 and one of several Mission District activists fighting market-rate housing as the coalition United to Save the Mission, said the projects had not been discussed by the group.
The Armory had no input on the new developments. Its owner, Peter Acworth, also owns the Armory Club cocktail bar at the corner of 14th and Mission streets across the street from one of the planned projects. He only hoped its future residents would drop in for a drink.
“I hope they like good quality cocktails,” he said.
Correction: An earlier version of this article state that the 1863 Mission St. project did not need to go before the Planning Commission.
Who is the general contractor??
Much needed… Love the culture of the Mission although the neighborhood needs some cleaning up. I live at 1875 Mission and these developments are very much well received.
Uh oh. Somebody wants to turn a vacant lot into housing. Surely at least one of the apartments will be purchased by a wealthy white person. SHUT IT DOWN NOW.
Looks better than a vacant empty lot that’s for sure. Not sure why you would be against it. Good luck!