BXP and JLL Join Fifty at First Team for San Francisco Tower Development and Leasing
The San Francisco Recovery Fund (SFRF) has announced that BXP and JLL have joined the multidisciplinary team working on Fifty at First, a planned 915-foot office tower at First and Mission streets in downtown San Francisco. The proposed development will span approximately 1.5 million square feet and is expected to become the city’s second-tallest building when completed.
Under the new partnership, BXP will serve as a consultant across development, leasing and marketing, while JLL has been appointed the project’s exclusive office leasing agent. The addition of the two firms brings extensive experience in commercial real estate development, office leasing and the delivery of major office towers to the project.
Alongside the announcement, SFRF released new renderings of Fifty at First, providing the public with an initial look at the proposed design and architectural direction of the tower.
The project is being designed by Gensler, an international architecture and design firm with roots in San Francisco. SFRF said the design approach focuses on creating a modern workplace that supports collaboration, employee well-being and the evolving needs of businesses operating in the city.
“When SFRF selected Gensler as our architect, it was for more than its global high-rise expertise,” said Dan Kingsley, Co-Founder of SFRF. “The firm was founded 61 years ago in San Francisco to specifically explore how workplaces could function more creatively and improve the working environment for employees.”
Kingsley said the same philosophy is guiding the development of Fifty at First, with an emphasis on creating a contemporary office environment designed around the needs of businesses and employees.
“With the design concept set, this is the moment to add the right partners to the team — BXP’s development, construction, leasing and operational expertise, paired with JLL’s intimate knowledge of what tenants need,” Kingsley added.
Focus on the Future of Downtown San Francisco
Fifty at First is being positioned as a major addition to downtown San Francisco’s commercial district. The project is intended to combine private office space with cultural experiences and public areas, creating a development that can contribute to activity in the surrounding neighborhood beyond traditional working hours.
Manan Shah, Managing Director and Principal, said the project is being planned around collaboration, creativity, health and sustainability.
“Fifty at First represents a unique opportunity for San Francisco, a building designed to reflect the things that matter most to us,” Shah said. “It allows for the best creative environment, with a focus on bringing people together to do their best work, in a healthy and sustainable way.”
According to Shah, the development is also intended to support the transformation of downtown San Francisco from a primarily traditional business district into a more active environment throughout the day and evening.
“The tower will bring together private business, cultural experiences, and public space in a uniquely San Francisco way as we evolve our Downtown from a 9-5 environment to a 24/7 ecosystem,” Shah said.
BXP Adds Development and Leasing Experience
SFRF has retained BXP as a consultant across several areas of the project, including development, leasing and marketing. BXP brings experience in delivering and operating major office properties in San Francisco and other major U.S. markets.
The BXP team involved with Fifty at First includes professionals with experience on Salesforce Tower, one of San Francisco’s most prominent modern office developments. The company will use its development, construction, leasing and operational expertise to help advance the Fifty at First project toward its planned completion in 2031.
Rod Diehl, Executive Vice President, West Coast Regions at BXP, said the project provides an opportunity to contribute to the future development of downtown San Francisco.
“Fifty at First represents a rare opportunity to help shape the next chapter of downtown San Francisco,” Diehl said. “With its exceptional location, visionary design, and forward-looking approach to the workplace, this project has the potential to become a defining addition to the city’s skyline and a destination for the world’s most innovative companies.”
BXP will work with SFRF and the broader project team as the development progresses, helping translate the architectural concept into an office tower intended to meet the requirements of future tenants.
JLL Appointed Exclusive Leasing Agent
JLL has been named the exclusive office leasing agent for Fifty at First. The company will be responsible for marketing the planned office space and working with prospective tenants as the project moves toward completion.
The leasing appointment comes as businesses continue to assess how office environments can support employee collaboration, workplace flexibility and company culture. Fifty at First is being designed with these evolving workplace requirements in mind.
The project’s approximately 1.5 million square feet of office space will provide substantial capacity for companies seeking large-scale commercial space in downtown San Francisco.
Planned 2031 Completion
SFRF acquired the site with the stated objective of contributing to San Francisco’s recovery and developing a major new commercial destination in the city.
Jay Yang, Co-Founder and CEO of the San Francisco Recovery Fund, said the organization views the project as an opportunity to work with experienced real estate professionals while supporting the city’s future.
“We bought this site to help drive San Francisco’s recovery and build something worthy of this city,” Yang said. “It is a privilege to be working with a blue-chip team that shares that commitment.”
Fifty at First is currently planned for completion in 2031. At 915 feet, the tower would become the second-tallest building in San Francisco, adding a significant new structure to the city’s skyline.
With SFRF, Gensler, BXP and JLL now working together, the project has assembled a team covering architecture, development, construction, marketing, operations and office leasing. The next stages will focus on advancing the design and development of the planned tower toward its targeted 2031 opening.
