The Edwin M. Lee Apartments | Image © Bruce Damonte
The Edwin M. Lee Apartments | Image © Bruce Damonte

Text description by the architects*

A model for healthy living and resilience, the Edwin M. Lee Apartments is the first building in San Francisco to combine supportive housing for both unhoused veterans and low-income families. This collaboration—Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects, Saida + Sullivan Design Partners, Swords to Plowshares, and Chinatown Community Development Center—supports an integrated, equitable, and sustainable community in San Francisco’s Mission Bay neighborhood.

The Edwin M. Lee Apartments | Image © Bruce Damonte
The Edwin M. Lee Apartments | Image © Bruce Damonte

This 124,000-square-foot affordable housing development provides 62 apartments for formerly homeless veterans and 57 apartments for low-income families with ground-floor services for families, veterans, neighbors, and the greater community. Balancing civic scale with a feeling of home, the building enables sustainable lifestyles for its residents, prioritizing access to views and daylight, along with showcasing alternative energy generation and connections to nearby public transportation. The project frames a generous internal garden courtyard that balances a range of areas for retrospection, interaction and play.

The Edwin M. Lee Apartments | Image © Bruce Damonte
The Edwin M. Lee Apartments | Image © Bruce Damonte

With a GreenPoints Rated Platinum certification, the project includes abundant photovoltaic and solar hot water panels to reduce operating costs and provide sustainable energy. The photovoltaic renewable energy system is proudly on display to the public and an integral feature in the overall building’s civic design. The design’s material and assembly selections incorporate biophilic design principles; durable material selections and well-considered detailing are intended to reduce long-term operating and maintenance costs.

The Edwin M. Lee Apartments | Image © Bruce Damonte
The Edwin M. Lee Apartments | Image © Bruce Damonte

Dedicated to the late mayor of San Francisco, the Edwin M. Lee Apartments is an enduring tribute to his goal to end homelessness for veterans.

The Edwin M. Lee Apartments | Image © Bruce Damonte
The Edwin M. Lee Apartments | Image © Bruce Damonte
The Edwin M. Lee Apartments | Image © Bruce Damonte
The Edwin M. Lee Apartments | Image © Bruce Damonte
Project Details
Project Team
Prime Architect: Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects 
Associate Architect: Saida + Sullivan Design Partners 
Co-Developer Clients: Chinatown Community Development Center (CCDC), Swords to Plowshares 
Builder: Nibbi Brothers 
Civil Engineer: Luk & Associates 
Landscape Architect: GLS Landscape Architecture 
Structural Engineer: KPFF 
Mechanical & Plumbing Engineer: Tommy Siu & Associates 
Electrical Engineer: E Design C 
Acoustic Consultant: Papadimos Group 
Lighting Consultant: ALD 
Building Maintenance: Access Systems & Solutions 
Waterproofing Consultant: Steelhead Engineers 
Corrosion: JDH Corrosion 
GreenPoint Rater: Association for Energy Affordability 
Fire Protection: Pacific-Allied Fire Protection 
 
Ledday Maytum Stacy Architects Team
Principal in Charge: Richard Stacy, FAIA
Associate Principal: Gregg Novicoff, AIA, LEED AP
Project Manager: Edward Kopelson, AIA, LEED AP 
Project Architect: Gwen Fuertes, AIA, LED AP BD+C 
 
Saida + Sullivan Design Partners Team
Principal: Koji Saida, AIA 
Principal: Mimi Sullivan, AIA
Job Captain: Jeremy Gagon
 
Photography
Bruce Damonte
Project Images

Recommended