Explore virtually - Don Chee Way Hardscape

A concrete hardscape at the southern end of Embarcadero Plaza, with an unexpected history.

Title
Don Chee Way Hardscape
Key dates

Created: 2001

Installed: 2001

Designer(s)
ROMA Design Group

Overview

Located at the southern end of Embarcadero Plaza, the Don Chee Way Hardscape has quite the past. Originally an angled grass area in the original Lawrence Halprin design, it evolved as part of the 1998-2001 renovation.

ROMA Design Group plans circa 1999-2003 called for a “Waterfront Pavilion”. The renovation called for the space to be the site of a stage and complex, with the adjacent grass area to be used for the audience. The complex would house the historic 7,500-pipe Exposition Organ, which was built for installation at the Festival Hall at the Pan-Pacific Exposition in 1915.

Ultimately, the “Waterfront Pavilion” did not materialize. Today, the concrete hardscape is used today as a special event space on occasion, and is more regularly a permit-only parking area for city employees, farmer’s market participants, and other permit holders.

Key details

  • Design by: ROMA Design Group
  • Style: Urban, hardscape, concrete
  • Materials: Concrete
  • Owned by: San Francisco
  • Funded by: San Francisco
  • Maintained by: San Francisco, BXP (Boston Properties)

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