San Francisco's South of Market district, known locally as SoMa, didn't become a glittering tech and financial hub overnight. Its transformation spans over a century of industrial grit, architectural reinvention, and economic revival. Standing at 405 Howard Street—home to the prominent Orrick Building and a core part of the Foundry Square development—this address encapsulates the neighborhood's dramatic evolution from waterfront factories to premier corporate corridors.
Understanding the weight of this specific location requires looking past modern office towers to examine the industrial roots of Howard Street, the vision behind Foundry Square, and how sustainable architecture reshaped this corner of San Francisco.
Industrial Roots: The Early Days of SoMa and Howard Street
Long before glass curtain walls and corporate headquarters defined the intersection of Howard and 1st streets, SoMa was an industrial powerhouse. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, proximity to San Francisco's bustling port made the area an ideal zone for warehouses, ironworks, and manufacturing plants.
Heavy industry shaped daily life in the district. Workers hauled freight off docks, and steam-powered machinery hummed inside brick and timber warehouses. Howard Street served as a critical artery for moving goods across the southeastern edge of the city's commercial core.
These roots left a physical and cultural legacy. The name "Foundry Square," which encompasses 405 Howard Street, directly honors this industrial past. Iron foundries once dotted these blocks, casting the structural metal that built early San Francisco before and after the 1906 earthquake and fire.
The Birth of Foundry Square and 405 Howard Street
By the late 20th century, heavy industry had largely departed San Francisco, leaving behind underutilized surface parking lots and aging light-industrial buildings ripe for redevelopment. City planners and developers recognized that SoMa's proximity to the Transbay Terminal and the Financial District made it prime territory for high-density commercial growth.
Developed in the early 2000s, Foundry Square was designed as a multi-building urban campus to bridge the gap between the traditional financial core and the emerging south-of-market technology and legal sectors. Completed in 2002, 405 Howard Street—also known as Foundry Square II or the Orrick Building—was designed by renowned architecture firms including STUDIOS Architecture.
Unlike the monolithic, sealed glass boxes of earlier decades, the design of 405 Howard Street sought to engage the pedestrian streetscape. It integrated transparent storefronts, open ground-level plazas, and modern architectural geometries that signaled a new era for SoMa architecture.
Architectural Innovation and Sustainability Standards
As urban architecture entered the 21st century, building performance became just as important as aesthetic appeal. 405 Howard Street stood out as a pioneer in sustainable commercial real estate in San Francisco, achieving LEED Platinum certification.
Key structural and environmental features include:
- Double-Pane Glass Curtain Walls: Designed to maximize natural daylight while optimizing thermal performance and energy efficiency.
- Raised Flooring Systems: Providing flexible under-floor air distribution and cable management, which improved indoor air quality and tenant comfort.
- Energy-Efficient Infrastructure: Advanced building management systems that drastically reduced carbon footprints compared to older high-rises.
These features made the property resilient. While neighboring commercial real estate developments in San Francisco experienced severe vacancy fluctuations during economic downturns, buildings like Foundry Square II maintained high occupancy rates due to their elite infrastructure, resilient engineering, and central location near major transit hubs like the Salesforce Transit Center.
Cultural Significance in Modern SoMa
The cultural footprint of 405 Howard Street extends beyond its physical architecture. As anchor tenants like the international law firm Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe established global headquarters at the address, the building became a nexus for legal, financial, and corporate influence in Northern California.
The surrounding neighborhood transformed in tandem. Cafes, public art installations, and transit improvements replaced empty lots. The opening of the nearby Salesforce Park added acres of green space to a previously concrete-heavy district, altering how workers interact with the urban environment.
Today, 405 Howard Street represents the modern identity of SoMa—a district that honors its blue-collar industrial past while anchoring San Francisco's contemporary economy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is located at 405 Howard Street in San Francisco?
405 Howard Street is a premier commercial office building known as Foundry Square II or the Orrick Building. It houses major corporate tenants, legal firms, and financial institutions in the SoMa district.
When was the building at 405 Howard Street constructed?
The building was completed in 2002 as part of the multi-phase Foundry Square development project designed to revitalize the South of Market neighborhood.
Is 405 Howard Street environmentally certified?
Yes, the building holds a LEED Platinum certification, reflecting its advanced energy-efficient design, sustainable double-pane glass curtain walls, and resource-conscious internal systems.
How has the SoMa neighborhood changed over time?
SoMa evolved from a 19th-century industrial and warehouse district near the waterfront into a high-density commercial, technological, and residential hub connected by modern transit infrastructure like the Salesforce Transit Center.
