55 Ninth Street

San Francisco’s Mid-Market area has reinvented itself many times, but through every change, its central location, civic presence, and community relevance have remained defining features.

In the center of it all is 55 Ninth Street—an 18-story, 273-unit market-rate apartment complex and anchor for the revitalized Mid-Market and SoMA tech corridor.

In keeping with its location near major tech headquarters, MIG | PGA designed a forward-thinking landscape focused on innovation and sustainability. The team shaped the building’s landscape around two courtyards, incorporating recycled materials such as blue glass in a gabion wall. A cistern collects stormwater for irrigation, while alternating bands of black and white rock, dramatic plantings, and a bold paving pattern create a contemporary setting. Gathering spaces include an outdoor movie wall and cooking and dining areas, so residents can get a little slice of community within the big city.

The project achieved LEED Gold Certification.