Britannia Cove breaks ground in South San Francisco

According to Jonathan Bergschneider, an executive vice president at HCP Inc., groundbreaking is underway and the company pulled building permits last week.

He said the first phase of construction will be 253,000 square feet spread across two buildings. Steel will probably be set for the buildings in July.

Bergschneider said he expects companies to begin occupying the building around August of next year.

Councilwoman Liza Normandy said in an email the city is thrilled for the project to get underway.

“The HCP Development better known as Britannia Cove at Oyster Point was one of first actions that I had taken on council and I am very excited about this project,” said Normandy, who joined the council in late 2013.

Mayor Rich Garbarino echoed those sentiments, and said that he is optimistic the project will attract more companies to build in the region.

“We hope that is the start of development out there,” he said.

Garbarino said the construction will help stimulate the local economy, as developers have agreed to use local union workers in building the project.

“If we can put some of our people to work, that’s good, because the workers will spend locally,” he said.

The design of the project has undergone a few iterations since the council discussed it in 2013. Councilmembers requested developers modify their initial proposal of a select-service hotel to a full-service hotel, and simplify the building design along the view corridors of Highway 101 and Oyster Point Boulevard.

Garbarino noted that the hotel will benefit the city, as hotel occupancy tax from travelers who stay overnight will go to the city’s general fund.

“This all bodes well for South San Francisco,” he said.

There will be access to the development from the Bay Trail, as well as from various modes of public transit.

Normandy said the amenities in the project will enhance the vitality of South San Francisco.

“A new hotel, new businesses and life science projects, new restaurants and shops will not only promote and enhance South San Francisco, but our life science market,” she said.

Though South San Francisco has long been recognized as a leader in the biotechnology industry, Garbarino said he hopes that the city will begin to attract technology companies in an effort to extend the boundaries of Silicon Valley further north along Highway 101.

Despite his enthusiasm for the project, Garbarino expressed the importance of responsible development in the region, because he said he wanted to see some of the land in the area maintained for open space recreation.

“People are going to work out there, but we want to keep a place to play. We need to have a place that people can go and relax,” he said. “It’s a nice recreation area, and we don’t want to give it all away to development.”

The project will also include amenities commonly found on Silicon Valley technology company campuses such as a cafeteria, bocce ball court and large amphitheater.

austin@smdailyjournal.com

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