Located in the heart of San Francisco's South Financial District, 405 Howard St—widely known as Foundry Square II or the Orrick Building—serves as a primary anchor of modern urban commercial design. Completed in 2003 and designed by STUD Architects under developer Wilson Meany, this ten-story, Class A office tower spans approximately 521,555 square feet. Rather than an obscure hidden residential enclave, it's a prominent architectural milestone in the Yerba Buena neighborhood that defines how high-density corporate spaces integrate with public transit hubs like the Salesforce Transit Center.
If you're researching this address for commercial leasing, architecture insights, or transit connectivity, understanding its structural layout, tenant profile, and neighborhood context matters. This breakdown explores what makes the property stand out, how it functions within the city's economic ecosystem, and what tenants or visitors encounter on-site.
Architecture and Sustainability Features
The structural identity of 405 Howard St relies on a striking double-pane glass curtain wall designed to maximize natural daylight while mitigating solar heat gain. This engineering choice supports energy efficiency without sacrificing the aesthetic transparency characteristic of contemporary West Coast corporate architecture.
- LEED Platinum Certification: The building holds high-tier environmental credentials, utilizing advanced building management systems for optimal climate control and power conservation.
- Structural Integration: As part of the four-building Foundry Square campus, the structure features steel-frame architecture with expansive floor plates that average around 50,000 square feet, accommodating flexible office layouts.
- Seismic Engineering: Built to rigorous modern California earthquake safety codes, incorporating robust foundation dampening systems.
Prime Location and Transit Access
Positioned at the corner of Howard Street and Fremont Street, the property benefits from exceptional commuter accessibility. Daily foot traffic remains dense due to its proximity to key regional transit arteries.
- BART and Muni: The Embarcadero and Montgomery stations sit within a short walking distance, connecting workers to the broader Bay Area.
- Transbay Terminal: Positioned directly adjacent to the Salesforce Transit Center, offering seamless regional bus and future rail links.
- Highway Access: Immediate proximity to Interstate 80 and the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge ramps simplifies commutes for motorists coming from the East Bay.
Major Tenancy and Economic Footprint
The building is famously anchored by the global law firm Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, which occupies a significant portion of the tower's office volume, giving the property its alternative moniker, the Orrick Building. Unlike neighboring commercial towers that experienced severe vacancies during post-pandemic shifts, Foundry Square II maintained strong occupancy rates due to its prime location, high-end institutional management by JLL, and resilient tenant mix featuring top-tier professional services and asset management firms.
Street-level spaces accommodate dynamic retail and second-generation café opportunities, catering to the heavy daily foot traffic generated by neighboring residential towers and tech campuses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the exact address of 405 Howard St?
The property is located at 405 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105, situated in the South Financial District near Yerba Buena.
Is 405 Howard St open to the public?
While the main office tower and tenant floors require security clearance or appointments, the ground-floor retail zones, plazas, and surrounding public spaces are accessible to pedestrians and commuters.
Who is the primary tenant of the building?
The international law firm Orrick occupies the majority of the office space, which is why locals and commercial brokers frequently refer to it as the Orrick Building.
How do I get to 405 Howard St using public transit?
You can take BART or Muni to the Montgomery Street station or utilize the Salesforce Transit Center, both of which are steps away from the front entrance.
