Pankow Builders served as Construction Manager at Risk for the San Francisco Public Safety Building, a 300,000 SF civic complex located in the Mission Bay neighborhood. The facility houses the San Francisco Police Department’s Police Headquarters, Southern District Police Station, and San Francisco Fire Department Station No. 4, consolidating essential public safety operations within one seismically robust, LEED® Gold certified structure.

The project combined new construction with the adaptive reuse of a historic 1908 brick firehouse, creating a civic anchor that bridges Mission Bay’s contemporary architecture with its industrial past. Built on 300 deep piles extending 240 feet to bedrock, the steel-and-concrete structure features enhanced blast and ballistic resistance and is designed to remain fully operational for 96 hours following a major seismic event.

High-performance features include chilled beam HVAC systems, green roofs, reclaimed water systems, and optimized daylighting, contributing to its LEED® Gold certification and reducing long-term operating costs. The project also emphasized Lean and IPD principles, using pull planning, reliable promising, and choosing-by-advantages decision-making, to align stakeholders and maintain schedule certainty.

Pankow’s self-perform concrete scope and collaborative delivery ensured seamless coordination and construction precision across multiple agencies and design partners. The resulting facility exemplifies civic resilience and sustainability, strengthening San Francisco’s ability to serve and protect its residents for generations to come.

Resilience by Design

A cornerstone of San Francisco’s Justice Facilities Improvement Program, the Public Safety Building consolidates critical public safety functions into one modern, seismically robust facility. Designed to remain operational for four days after a major disaster, the six-story, 300,000 SF structure houses the San Francisco Police Department Headquarters, Southern District Police Station, and Fire Station No. 4, along with parking and community spaces.

The project combined new construction with adaptive reuse, incorporating a restored 1908 red brick firehouse into the larger civic complex. Built atop deep foundations—300 piles driven 240 feet to bedrock—the structure’s steel and concrete frame provides enhanced blast and ballistic resistance. Inside, advanced MEP and security systems support uninterrupted emergency operations.

Sustainability was central to the project’s design and delivery. The building achieved LEED® Gold certification through efficient mechanical systems, daylighting strategies, chilled beam technology, and the use of reclaimed water. Designed for longevity and efficiency, the project exemplifies how Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) and Lean Construction principles can merge resilience, sustainability, and civic architecture.

Pankow’s self-performed concrete work, meticulous coordination, and adherence to City requirements ensured the building was completed to the highest standard of safety and sustainability, providing San Francisco with a resilient public safety hub designed for the future.