Historic Marina Senior Housing in San Fransisco Set for Major Redevelopment

• Heritage on the Marina and Sequoia Living have proposed a major redevelopment of the senior housing campus at 3400 Laguna Street in San Francisco's Marina District.
• The plan would expand the property from 76 to 122 senior housing units while preserving the historic Julia Morgan Building, originally completed in 1925.
• The redevelopment includes a new eight-story senior housing building, upgraded care facilities, and a public historic center, while replacing aging structures on the 1.6-acre campus.

What the Redevelopment Includes

A significant redevelopment is being planned for the senior housing campus at 3400 Laguna Street in San Francisco's Marina District. Heritage on the Marina has partnered with nonprofit senior housing provider Sequoia Living to modernize the historic property while expanding housing options for older adults. The proposal would increase the campus from 76 to 122 residential units on the 1.6-acre site. Rather than demolishing the historic Julia Morgan Building, the project would preserve and restore the nearly century-old landmark while replacing the remaining buildings with a new eight-story senior housing facility offering updated amenities and care services.

What Will Change on the Property

The redevelopment focuses on balancing historic preservation with modern senior living. The three-story Julia Morgan Building, completed in 1925 for the San Francisco Ladies' Protection and Relief Society, would remain intact. Its existing 20 apartments would be converted into 10 larger residences designed to better serve today's senior residents. Meanwhile, the aging Perry Building, constructed during the 1950s and currently containing 56 residences, would be demolished to make way for the new building. Another historic structure, the campus' Stone Cottage, would be relocated and transformed into the Julia Morgan Historic Center, creating a public space for educational programs, community events, and fundraising activities.

What Project Leaders Are Saying

Project leaders say the redevelopment is designed to preserve an important part of San Francisco's history while meeting the growing demand for senior housing.

"Great cities are measured by how well they care for people across every stage of life," said Sara McVey, President and CEO of Sequoia Living. "The proposed plan preserves an important piece of San Francisco's history while ensuring it can continue serving older adults and the Marina community for another 100 years."

The updated proposal replaces an earlier approved concept that called for two lower-rise buildings with only 80 independent living apartments, allowing the project to significantly increase capacity while maintaining the site's historic character.

What This Means for the Marina District

The proposal arrives as the Marina District continues to debate new housing development. Just one block away, the neighborhood has seen strong opposition to Align Real Estate Partners' proposed 850-unit Safeway redevelopment, making this senior housing expansion part of a broader conversation about growth in the area. Unlike the nearby mixed-use proposal, the Heritage on the Marina project places historic preservation at the center of its redevelopment strategy. The project will also rely on California housing laws that allow qualifying developments to exceed local zoning limits and streamline the approval process. If approved, the redevelopment would provide additional senior housing while preserving one of San Francisco's notable historic buildings for future generations.