Rehabilitation of historic Presidio building for NPS maintenance operations

Presidio Building 643 prior to construction.

NPS Photo

Golden Gate National Recreation Area currently occupies six buildings at the Presidio that house 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) will rehabilitate 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. It will serve as a focal point for southern district facility operations around the bay and as far as Ocean Beach. This project is being 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. During World War II it housed the Defense Language Institute, the first school of its type in the nation. 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.

Rehabilitation will address required structural upgrades by selectively demolishing the higher hazard unreinforced masonry portions of the building; abating hazardous materials; installing seismic and structural upgrades; repairing/replacing the roof, windows and doors; and upgrading mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems. This project will resolve operational inefficiencies by consolidating space for offices; sign, carpenter and mechanics shops; and secured storage of equipment, vehicles and materials.

Project at a Glance:

The project will result in a fully rehabilitated historic structure that will provide code-compliant safe working conditions for Facility Management personnel. Building safety will be improved for continued occupancy, reducing the risk of damage to the building and leveraging other investments in the building.

What are the Benefits:

• Repairs 20,000 square feet of deteriorating historic structure from poor to good condition, reducing deferred maintenance and repair costs
• Reduces life/safety risks for occupied use by implementing fire detection and suppression systems and hazardous materials abatement in workspaces
• Improves the operational efficiency, reliability and sustainability of park operations by providing a unified location for the South District grounds and operations staff of the park
• Leverages funding using park revenue and Presidio Trust funds to ensure the long-term viability of Presidio Building PE-643 for safe use
• Improves accessibility to address code deficiencies

Project Details

Anticipated completion*: Fall of 2024 (Q4) 
Current GAOA cost estimate*: $21,483,240
Funding from other sources: Approximately $11.526 million
Visitor impact: There will be no visitor impacts during construction. 
Last updated: May 2024
*These are estimates and subject to change

Presidio Building PE-643, Phase 1.

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
• Leverage partner funding

Presidio Building PE-643 under Phase 2 construction April 2024.

NPS Photo

Current Status:

Phase 2 design was completed in February 2022. Construction of interior and exterior is proceeding and the project should be substantially completed by Fall 2024.