Hundreds of cement trucks rumbled onto Treasure Island in the wee hours over the weekend to pour the foundation for what will be the first tower in San Francisco’s next high-rise neighborhood.
Cruising down streets lit by new streetlights and freshly planted palm trees, the red and white mixers from Central Concrete Supply Co. lined up dozens at a time at three pump trucks, delivering 3,000 cubic yards of concrete to the 248-unit Tidal House, a 22-story tower that, when it opens in 2024, will be the first of a half dozen high-rises slated for the new neighborhood.
The foundation pour had to be planned with military precision because concrete must be poured within 90 minutes of being batched or it doesn’t settle properly, according to Alex Monaghan, construction manager for project developer Wilson Meany. The historic nature of the milestone was not lost on the workers who were out there before the sun rose over Oakland on Saturday morning.
“Everyone who is out here working understands how unique this is,” said Monaghan. “Especially being the first one.”
For Bay Area residents who have been hearing about the redevelopment of Treasure Island for two decades — with little progress to show for it — it is easy to be somewhat skeptical about whether the project is actually happening. But a visit to the island leaves no doubt: the 400-acre former military base is teeming with activity.
Between Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island, five projects are under construction and two are completed. When the $6 billion megaproject is complete — likely by 2036 — it will have 8,000 homes, 300,000 square feet of retail, 500 hotel rooms, and 300 acres of open space. Currently more housing is under construction on Treasure Island than anywhere in the Bay Area.
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