A Slam Dunk for Mission Bay: Chase Center Sports & Entertainment District
Merit Award /
Urban Design
San Francisco, CA
Illustrative Site Plan.
©David Lloyd
Birdseye view.
©Bill Tatham
A glimpse of the city skyline from Uber’s roof garden.
The vegetated “dunes” borrows simultaneously from the topography of the Bay Area as well as drawing biophilic inspiration from birds’ nests. The terraces are designed to be comfortable, contextual havens above the bustling event center below.
Uber staff and visitors get to enjoy views into the open space plaza and basketball on the Jumbotron on game days.
Movie night at the plaza.
Program and capacity diagrams for the main plaza event space.
Green machine – the rainwater terrace gardens at Third St. reveals the bio-filtration process by which plants help to cleanse all water on site.
The terrace gardens at Third St. in full bloom.
The Promenade leading into the Main Event space plaza.
“The Bay” by Precita Eyes Muralists: The 40×20 ft tile-and-mirror mosaic literally overlooks the SF Bay. It is just one of the many original art pieces featured in Chase Center’s ambitious art program.
Seeing Spheres by global artist Olafur Eliasson – 15.5-foot tall, mirrored spheres occupy the plaza at the Bay-side of the district.
Seasonal programming lights up the plaza.
Nighttime entertainment at the Gatehouse.
Day or night, the district comes alive.
Client
Kendall Heaton Associates
Project Team
Rene Bihan, Lead Landscape Architect
Daniel Morris, Merrill Morris, SBE Landscape Partner
Adam Murphy, Huntsman Architectural Group
David Manica, MANICA Architecture
Jonathan Emmett, Gensler
Peter Pfau, Perkins & Will (formerly Pfau/Long)
Project Statement
Located in San Francisco’s Mission Bay, the Chase Center Sports and Entertainment District integrates the state-of-the-art Chase Center arena with an innovative mix of development that includes Kaiser Permanente’s Thrive City, a museum pop-up/broadcasting facility, and Uber HQ Mission Bay 3 and 4 office towers. Not just a venue for Golden State Warriors fans, the district enriches local community life with cultural vibrancy, offering a dynamic hub for entertainment, education, and everyday living. The district catalyzes economic growth, fosters local entrepreneurship, and promotes environmental stewardship through green building practices and resilient infrastructure. It stands as a model of urban revitalization, enhancing the cityscape while creating a lasting impact on residents and visitors alike.
Project Description
In the heart of Mission Bay, the Chase Center Sports and Entertainment District emerges as a transformative example of urban design excellence. Anchored by the cutting-edge Chase Center arena, bookended by the innovative Uber office towers, and backed by the iconic San Francisco Bay, this district expands the city’s offerings, setting a new standard for inclusive and sustainable urban development.
There was no there there: Ten years ago, if you were to ask a local whether they ever hang out in San Francisco’s new and shiny Mission Bay neighborhood, you’d get a big fat “Hell no, there’s nothing to do there.” This was true despite UCSF’s presence, a booming biotech hub, and active sales of new, ground-up condos in the area. While Mission Bay had begun to see development and infrastructure improvements due to planned urbanization efforts, the district’s presence has undoubtedly accelerated its transformation. Mission Bay lacked a prominent cultural and economic anchor before the arrival of Chase Center, which has not only catalyzed development but enhanced the area’s appeal as a destination. Today, there sits an 18,000-seat arena, two office buildings, 100,000 sq.ft retail, a multi-functional amphitheater, and a 35,000 sq.ft public plaza designed for year-round activity. The district’s presence has attracted attention, investment, and community-focused development initiatives that might not have materialized as rapidly otherwise.
An Urban Design Opportunity: Landscape architecture is pivotal in enhancing this highly technical site. Throughout the district, there’s a striking fusion of architectural styles—from the curving lines of the Chase Center arena to the sleek facades of the Uber towers to the whimsical Gatehouse building, each crafted by different architects yet harmoniously integrated by the connecting plazas, ramps, and open spaces.
Another design move recognizes that, unlike other distinctive SF neighborhoods, most of Mission Bay is a flat expanse built atop Bay fill. The district’s design celebrates the city’s famous topography through thoughtful grading and dramatic terraces to survey the shared plaza Jumbotron, people-watch, or look out over the Bay. These elevated spaces provide stunning city views and serve as gathering spots, celebrating the best of the Bay amidst urban development.
Transit-Centric: The district exemplifies true “urban” design by strongly emphasizing sustainable mobility, integrating with Muni bus lines and a light rail station directly across the street. By intentionally limiting on-site parking, the district promotes reliance on public transit, reducing congestion and carbon emissions and enhancing pedestrian safety and connectivity. Culture and Community: Since opening, the district has served as a hub, not only for sports and entertainment but also for community engagement. By creating accessible public spaces, the district can partner with local organizations like Blue Bear School of Music, Get Fit clinics, and the farmer’s market to host over 100 community events yearly. Chase Center also collaborated with Adobe to showcase over 500 art pieces, including 87 original works, enriching the district’s cultural offerings.
Driving Economic Viability and Growth: A transformative model for urban development, Chase Center stands as a rare example of a 100% privately funded sports and entertainment district, allowing the Golden State Warriors complete control over its vision and long-term impact. Since opening in 2019, it has generated a $4.2 billion economic boost to SF, with $2.9 billion in direct spending and $1 billion in recirculated economic activity (Accenture, 2024). Thrive City increased local business sales by 15-40% on event days, highlighting effective placemaking. The project also directed $245 million to small businesses and created 574 local jobs (Clark Construction Press Release, 2019), promoting equitable economic opportunities and driving inclusive urban growth.
Sustainability: Environmental sustainability is woven into the district. Chase Center and both Uber office towers boast LEED certifications and showcases advancements in energy efficiency, water conservation, and green infrastructure. Sustainable practices include native plantings, green roofs, water-efficient irrigation, and SF’s largest Rainwater Reuse System.
The Chase Center Sports and Entertainment District transcends its role as a sports venue to catalyze urban transformation, profoundly impacting Mission Bay and setting a global precedent for sports and entertainment facilities. San Francisco is known as one of the most progressive cities in the world, and this district exemplifies the intersection of urban design, economic sustainability, and community enrichment while preserving the essence of San Francisco’s landscape and history.
