The San Francisco River: Reimagining Market Street’s Future

Market Street is the core of San Francisco, yet today it faces challenges: vacant storefronts, fewer office workers, and limited public activity. The Reimagine Market Street Ideas Competition, organized by ULI San Francisco, called for fresh thinking about how this central corridor could evolve.

Our proposal, The San Francisco River, developed in collaboration with Vasudha Maiya, received an Honorable Mention. The design reimagines Market Street as a pedestrian-first cultural corridor that flows through downtown like a river — connecting neighborhoods, people, and ideas.

Design Concept:

• Flow of Energy

A flexible urban promenade with green pockets for gathering, play, and performance.

• Rethinking Downtown

Shifting from a business-only core to a mixed-use hub with parks, housing, cultural events, and pop-ups.

• Reclaiming the Street

Reducing car lanes to expand green space, bike paths, and public areas, while preserving San Francisco’s iconic streetcars.

• Culture in the Current

Market Street as a stage for art, performance, and local expression, celebrating the city’s identity.

• Local Economies

Micro-retail and food vendors that activate the street and support small businesses.

A Civic Space for the Future

The proposal frames Market Street as more than a transit corridor. It becomes a civic space: a place where design supports culture, public life, and local economies. This approach responds to San Francisco’s current urban conditions while positioning the city for a more resilient future.

At EP Architecture & Visual Solutions, we approach every project as a narrative — creating architecture that tells stories, shapes public experience, and strengthens local identity. The San Francisco River embodies this philosophy: design as connection, flow, and renewal.

Recognition

We thank ULI San Francisco, Civic Joy Fund, the jury, and all collaborators who made this competition possible. See the full list of winners and honorable mentions here: https://sf.uli.org/get-involved/marketstreetreimagined/competition-submission-gallery/