Discover award-winning community living at St. Francis Square Cooperative, a landmark residential complex in San Francisco's vibrant Western Addition and Japantown neighborhood. Located between Geary Boulevard and Laguna Street, San Francisco, CA 94115, this nationally recognized housing cooperative represents a historic achievement in integrated, affordable urban design and cooperative living.
Constructed in 1963 and completed in 1964, St. Francis Square was developed by the International Longshoremen's and Warehousemen's Union (ILWU) through their pension fund, making it the first racially integrated housing cooperative on the West Coast. The complex was financed under Section 221(d)(3) of the U.S. Housing Code with a 40-year FHA mortgage.
The award-winning design was created by renowned architects Marquis & Stoller (Robert B. Marquis and Claude Stoller) in collaboration with legendary landscape architect Lawrence Halprin. The visionary design transformed a superblock by closing two city streets to create 299 apartments housed in 12 three-story walk-up buildings arranged around three beautifully landscaped communal courtyards. Inspired by urbanist Jane Jacobs' concepts of community interaction and "eyes on the street," the architects simplified building interiors to devote more resources to creating exceptional shared garden spaces for families.
St. Francis Square has received numerous design awards and national recognition as a model for sensitive urban design, including the prestigious Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence. The complex has been celebrated for successfully balancing urban sophistication with community-oriented living spaces.
As a housing cooperative, residents purchase shares in the corporation rather than owning individual units, creating a true community where members participate in democratic self-governance. A member-elected Board of Directors oversees management, while numerous committees handle financial, social, and special activities. The cooperative publishes a weekly newsletter keeping all shareholders informed about community matters and events.
St. Francis Square consists of 299 cooperative apartments ranging from 1-bedroom to 3-bedroom units, with sizes typically ranging from 550 to 850+ square feet. Units feature private patios or balconies, assigned parking (one space per unit), and access to on-site community laundry facilities.
St. Francis Square offers exceptional community amenities including three beautifully landscaped shared courtyards designed by Lawrence Halprin, community garden plots, children's playground, pedestrian walkways throughout the complex, green spaces and open areas, on-site professional management, 24-hour maintenance and emergency services, and regular community social events and activities.
The cooperative's monthly fees (carrying charges) include electricity, gas, water, garbage service, building exterior maintenance, grounds maintenance, landscaping, insurance on structure, property taxes, sewer, common area upkeep, and professional property management.
St. Francis Square's central San Francisco location at Geary Boulevard and Laguna Street offers unparalleled access to the city's best neighborhoods and amenities. The complex is directly across from Japantown (Nihonmachi), steps from the Buchanan Street YMCA fitness center, blocks from Fillmore Street's shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues, near Pacific Heights, walking distance to Civic Center and San Francisco City Hall, and close to St. Mary's Cathedral.
Public transportation is excellent with multiple Muni bus lines on Geary Boulevard, easy access to downtown San Francisco, proximity to major freeways including US-101, and walkable access throughout the Western Addition and Fillmore districts.
The Western Addition neighborhood combines historic San Francisco charm with vibrant cultural diversity. Residents enjoy easy access to Japantown's restaurants, shops, and Japan Center, the renowned Fillmore District jazz heritage and entertainment, diverse dining from ramen shops to fine restaurants, Jefferson Square Park and other green spaces, excellent public schools, and a strong sense of community and neighborhood activism.
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