Last updated: January 28, 2025
Article
Rehabilitation of historic Presidio building for NPS maintenance operations
NPS Photo
Prior to the completion of the rehabilitation of Presidio Building 643, Golden Gate National Recreation Area occupied six buildings that housed the park’s Facility Management division. Three of these buildings are administered by the Presidio Trust and three by the National Park Service (NPS). This project funded by the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) rehabilitated 20,000 square feet of historic Presidio Building PE-643, a contributing structure to the Presidio of the San Francisco National Historic Landmark District, for permanent occupation as a code-compliant, accessible, efficient maintenance facility for the park. The renovated building is the new base for Golden Gate National Recreation Area's Facility Management southern operations which services park sites in San Francisco and San Mateo counties. This project was carried out in partnership with the park’s partner the Presidio Trust which manages the bulk of the former Presidio military base.
The Presidio of San Francisco was established as a fortified location by a Spanish garrison in 1776. It passed to Mexico in 1820, and in turn to the United States in 1848. After Congress ended its status as an active Army installation, the Presidio was transferred to the National Park Service in 1994 to be managed as part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. In 1996, Congress created the Presidio Trust to manage areas of the Presidio in partnership with the National Park Service.
Presidio Building PE- 643 was constructed by the Army in 1923 to serve as an airplane hangar for Crissy Field. By the 1930s, the hangars were no longer used for airplanes, and with the addition of a linking structure between the two original hangars, the building was use for warehouses and offices. The structure contributes to the significance of the national historic landmark as an outstanding collection/catalogue of military architecture, landscape design, planning, and construction representing multiple periods and styles of defense‐related architecture that span more than 200 years.
The rehabilitation project demolished the unreinforced masonry portions of the building; abated hazardous materials; installed seismic and structural upgrades; replaced the roof, windows and doors; and upgraded mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems. The project resolved operational inefficiencies by consolidating space for offices; sign and carpenter workshops; and provided secured storage of equipment, vehicles and materials. The century-old structure's historic appearance was also restored to include “Crissy Field” painted in large block letters on the new roof.
Project at a Glance:
The project resulted in a fully rehabilitated historic structure that will provide code-compliant safe working conditions for Facility Management personnel. Building safety was improved for continued occupancy, reducing the risk of damage to the building and leveraging other investments in the building.
What are the Benefits:
- Repaired 20,000 square feet of deteriorating historic structure from poor to good condition, reduced deferred maintenance and repair costs
- Increased life/safety for occupied use by implementing fire detection and suppression systems and hazardous materials abatement in workspaces
- Improved operational efficiency, reliability and sustainability of park operations by providing a unified location for the South District grounds and operations staff of the park
- Leveraged funding using park revenue and other funds to ensure the long-term viability of Presidio Building PE-643 for safe use
- Improved accessibility to address code deficiencies
NPS Photo
Project Purpose and Goals:
- Ensure the long-term viability of a historic building in the Presidio of San Francisco National Historic Landmark District
- Provide consolidated space for facility maintenance operations
- Address safety issues including required structural upgrades and hazardous material abatement
- Reduce deferred maintenance and repairs
NPS Photo
Current Status:
Phase 2 design was completed in February 2022. Rehabiliation of Presidio Building 643 completed in 2024.
NPS Photo