Golden Gate University's $32M Sale Sets Up 46-Story SoMa Redevelopment

• Lincoln Property Company and McCourt Partners are seeking approval for a 46-story redevelopment at 536 Mission Street in San Francisco’s SoMa.
• The mixed-use option would include 385 apartments and 1.17 million square feet, while the alternative would deliver roughly 1.35 million square feet of office space.
• Golden Gate University’s former property sold for $31.6 million, adding momentum to the redevelopment of the downtown site.

Two Development Options for 536 Mission

The future of 536 Mission Street is coming into sharper focus as Lincoln Property Company and McCourt Partners pursue approval for two potential 46-story towers. The site, formerly occupied by Golden Gate University, could become one of San Francisco’s tallest new developments. For landlords and investors, the project is notable for its scale and flexibility. The development team is keeping both an office-focused and mixed-use strategy alive, allowing the project to respond to changing demand for commercial and residential space.

 

 

 

 

 

Mixed-Use Plan Adds 385 Apartments

The preferred residential scenario would rise approximately 698 feet and contain about 1.17 million square feet. The plan includes 643,500 square feet of offices, 521,450 square feet of housing and 4,380 square feet of retail. The residential component would feature 385 apartments, including studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom units. San Francisco's housing inventory confirms the 385-unit mixed-use configuration. The building would place offices across the lower 21 floors, with residential space occupying the upper levels. Residential amenities are planned for the 22nd and 47th floors.

 

 

 

 

Office Tower Could Reach 752 Feet

The alternative would deliver a substantially larger commercial building, reaching approximately 752 feet with nearly 1.35 million square feet of office space. The developers are also evaluating different mixes of office and laboratory space, reflecting the continued push toward flexible commercial uses in downtown San Francisco. The project's dual-track strategy was previously described as providing “the flexibility to respond thoughtfully to market dynamics while maximizing the site’s potential”.

 

 

 

 

$31.6 Million Sale Sets the Stage

Golden Gate University recently completed the sale of the property for $31.6 million, according to recent reporting. The transaction follows the university's financial partnership with Lincoln Property Company and McCourt Partners, which helped position the site for redevelopment. San Francisco Planning documents show that the redevelopment remains in the entitlement process, with environmental review documents published in August 2026.

 

 

Downtown San Francisco's Next Tower

The project would replace the existing seven-story Golden Gate University building with a major new tower near the Transbay Transit Center and Salesforce Tower. For investors, the important signal is the scale and adaptability of the proposal. Whether the final project leans toward housing or office space, 536 Mission represents a major redevelopment opportunity in one of San Francisco's most prominent downtown corridors.