Revised Flower Mart Proposal Offered New Flexibility
The 6.5-acre site between Fifth and Sixth Streets could host 3,500 residential units under new design plans.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Remote Work
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Kilroy Realty Corp has introduced a flexible development proposal for the Flower Mart site in Central SoMa to better match shifting market demands. The new plan replaces an earlier, office-only campus design with a modular layout capable of supporting housing, institutional space, or commercial use.
Why it matters
Current high construction costs and changing office needs have made the previously approved 2 million-square-foot office project unfeasible. The developer is now seeking design flexibility to adapt to future market conditions in a neighborhood that has seen significant transit improvements with the opening of the Central Subway.
The 6.5-acre site could now accommodate 3,500 residential units or 2.66 million square feet of commercial space. These figures follow the January 2023 opening of the Central Subway, which is intended to serve the high-density redevelopment of this area.
The players
Kilroy Realty Corp
The real estate developer responsible for the proposed redevelopment of the historic Flower Mart site.
Planning Commission
The city body tasked with reviewing and approving development proposals and zoning changes.
The details
The updated proposal features seven buildings, including residential structures capped at 600 feet and commercial buildings limited to 350 feet. Beyond density, the new site plan introduces a grid of streets and alleys along with pocket parks to integrate the massive project into the Central SoMa neighborhood. Kilroy Realty Corp intends to move forward only when market conditions improve, following a recent push for design flexibility at the Planning Commission.
Timeline
January 2023: Central Subway opens.
January 2025: New wholesale flower market opens at 901 16th St.
September 2026: Planning Commission extends approval for 725 Harrison.
Late September 2026: Kilroy presents the revised Flower Mart proposal.
Across the Bay
This pivot reflects a broader shift away from the high-density office goals established by the Central SoMa Plan. The proposal follows a pattern seen in other major developments where developers are abandoning office-only models to prioritize residential or institutional uses.
Neighbors between Fifth and Sixth Streets should watch for upcoming Planning Commission hearings regarding the project's site grid and height limits. These changes could dictate the eventual density of the block as the developer waits for a more favorable economic climate to begin construction.
The takeaway
The move to shift from 2 million square feet of office space to a mixed-use model highlights the ongoing economic cooling of the local commercial real estate sector. Keep an eye on the Planning Commission's meeting calendar for future public discussions on the revised Flower Mart site design.
Further reading
You can follow local shifts in commercial space and neighborhood density on our Remote Work page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by San Francisco Chronicle.
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