Revised Design Gives New Life to Contemporary Jewish Museum

At a public forum at the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency last week, the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco showed off the revised Daniel Libeskind design for its new 60,000-sq.-ft. home.

The plans call for an adaptive reuse of the historic Jessie Street Power Substation, near Mission Street in the Yerba Buena cultural district, and a new addition. Willis Polk originally designed the substation in 1907.

The museum has been exhibiting in its gallery space at 121 Steuart St. for about 20 years. The proposed plans will allow CJM to expand its mission and programming.

The current timetable for the project anticipates groundbreaking in spring 2006 and a completion of the building in late 2007. The project's estimated cost is $43.1 million. An additional $39.1 million will be raised for an endowment and startup costs.

In working with a historical building, Libeskind formed a joint venture with San Francisco architectural firm Chong Partners Architecture, known for its respect of history and its integration of sustainable design practices into the planning, design, construction and operation of its buildings.

The museum is also working with Architectural Resources Group and Plant Construction, two San Francisco-based organizations with significant experience with historic buildings.

The SFRA public unveiling of Libeskind's revised architectural plan, originally presented in 2000 and put on hold, will renovate the Jessie Street Power Substation, which has been vacant for almost three decades.

Libeskind, an internationally renowned architect, most recently garnered acclaim for his master plan design of New York's World Trade Center project

CJM officials said Libeskind's design preserves the character defining features of Polk's original structure--most notably its red brick southern facade, the trusses and skylights, and large volumes of space--and integrates it with "a striking addition." From the outside of the building, the addition will be most remarkable for its unique shape as well as its skin--a vibrant blue metallic color.

The museum also will include a multi-purpose space with accommodations for seating 250 visitors, designed for film/video and intimate theatrical performances, including comedy, lectures, storytelling, discussions and readings. The facility also will feature a museum shop and a cafe with outdoor seating facing a public plaza that will be renovated by the SFRA.

Currently underway at the site is excavation work being done by the city of San Francisco on an underground parking facility. Located beneath Jessie Square and the surrounding plaza, the garage will be available for museum visitors.

Construction Underway at Fremont's Maple Square Housing Project

Construction is underway on Maple Square, a 132-unit apartment and nine single-family home community at Maple Street and Hansen Avenue in the Centerville neighborhood of Fremont.

San Diego-based Affirmed Housing Group is the developer of the $33 million project, slated for completion in January. The company specializes in affordable homes, including the award-winning Tesoro Grove development in San Diego's South Bay region.

Irvine-based R.D. Olson Construction is the general contractor, while KTGY Group, also based in Irvine, is the architect of record.

Maple Square is situated on 5.4 acres that is within walking distance from the Centerville Train Depot and the retail/residential complex, the Centerville Market Place, which is also under development.

The project is expected to revitalize what many considered a lackluster section of the neighborhood, and initiate new residential and retail growth in the surrounding area, said Robert Olson, CEO and president of R.D. Olson Construction,

"We believe this will be a good fit for the community and provide comfortable housing for those who need it," Olson added

The podium-style complex has one underground level of parking and is comprised of an assortment of buildings, including a two-story garden-style structure with exterior entrances to each unit. All apartments have porches and patios.

Apartment floor plans include studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. The home floor plans include a choice of three bedrooms and two bathrooms or three bedrooms and three bathrooms.

"We have been fortunate to work with the city of Fremont and a wonderful group of Centerville residents and local business owners to make Maple Square a reality," said James Silverwood, president of Affirmed Housing Group. "With their input, we were able to create homes that will fulfill the dream of affordable housing for many local families and meet the desires of the surrounding community."

The architectural style of the homes complements the surrounding Centerville neighborhood. The apartment design reflects an eclectic blend of Craftsman and cottage-style structures, while the single-family homes feature a bungalow-style design.

The Redevelopment Agency of the City of Fremont, the California Department of Housing and Community Development, Citibank and Boston Capital, provided financing for Maple Square.

Escondido-based Masson & Associates is providing civil engineering services, and Walnut Creek-based Ripley Design Group is the landscape architect.