Damage from the Loma Prieta Earthquake of 1989 forced The Archdiocese of San Francisco to seek temporary housing for St. Mary’s Chinese School.  Mock/Wallace assisted in the search for a new site for the school. 

The historic Our Lady of Guadalupe Church above the Broadway tunnel was vacant and available and we determined it would be suitable.  Given a new purpose as a temporary location for the School, the sanctuary and community room was converted into nine classrooms, offices, library and new toilets.  The historic interiors including the altar and chapels were preserved for a future restoration.   Work included seismic upgrade, historic preservation, and appearances before the SF Planning Commission and State Landmarks Board. 

This feasibility study for the Episcopal Church of Berkeley showed how the existing student housing facility could be increased from 14 beds to as many as 72 beds. This alternative shown preserves the original historic building fronting on Bancroft Avenue and adds a new building component at the rear and side.  The new addition features a commercial rental space with the housing component above.  Mock/Wallace developed these design studies to comply with the proposed Berkeley South Side Plan. 

The historically significant Ambassador Hotel was a 6 story un-reinforced masonry building with commercial tenants at street level and 150 SRO units above.  The project required approval by the both the San Francisco Landmarks Board and HUD.  Along with a seismic upgrade, ADA improvements, and new building systems, the re-design of the residential spaces provided improved common kitchens, lounges, laundries, and private baths in all the units.  Plumbing, mechanical, electrical, elevators, and other building systems were replaced. 

A new addition on the second floor level provides 4,200 square feet of space for service providers and community spaces, as well as 6,600 square foot of rooftop open space. Street level storefronts were renovated to be compatible with the original appearance of the building. The historic neon sign has been restored. Our client was the non-profit developer Tenderloin Neighborhood Development.  See their website here.