Rincon Hill, San Francisco facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rincon Hill
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Rincon Hill neighborhood viewed from across the San Francisco Bay.
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 Rincon Hill
Location in San Francisco
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| Area | |
| • Total | 0.25 km2 (0.096 sq mi) |
| • Land | 0.25 km2 (0.096 sq mi) |
| Population
(2008)
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| • Total | 1,532 |
| • Density | 6,155/km2 (15,942/sq mi) |
| ZIP code |
94105
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| Area codes | 415/628 |
| Reference #: | 84 |
Rincon Hill is a neighborhood in San Francisco, California. Its name comes from the Spanish word Rincón, which means "corner." It is one of San Francisco's many hills and one of its original "Seven Hills."
This neighborhood is quite small. It is bordered by Folsom Street to the north and Bryant Street to the south. To the east, you'll find the Embarcadero, and Essex Street is to the west. Rincon Hill is about 100 feet (30 meters) tall. It sits just south of the Transbay development area, which is part of the larger South of Market region.
After the California Gold Rush, Rincon Hill became a popular and fancy place to live. But the 1906 earthquake and fire destroyed many homes. The area was slow to rebuild and became mostly an industrial zone with factories and warehouses. In 1985, and again in 2005, the city changed the rules for the area. It was planned to become a busy residential neighborhood. The goal was to house up to 10,000 new residents close to the city's Financial District.
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Exploring Rincon Hill's Past
The area we now call Rincon Hill was once a sandy piece of land. It formed the southern edge of Yerba Buena Cove. This land ended at Rincon Point, which is where the hill gets its name. Before the California Gold Rush in 1849, Rincon Hill was mostly empty. Most early buildings were on the north side of the cove, near Portsmouth Square.
From Gold Rush to the 1906 Earthquake
When the Gold Rush brought many people, the cove was filled in. The city's streets grew bigger. Rincon Hill became attractive because of its great views and sunny weather. Families of merchants, sea captains, and other professionals moved there. They wanted to escape the busy and sometimes wild Barbary Coast.
In the 1850s and 1860s, Rincon Hill was one of the most respected neighborhoods in San Francisco. It was located south of Market Street, along with a nearby area called Happy Valley.
A big change happened in 1869 with the Second Street Cut. This project cut right through Rincon Hill to make it easier to reach industrial areas to the south. A wealthy landowner named John Middleton suggested this plan. The 100-foot (30-meter) deep canyon split Rincon Hill in two. This made homes on both sides unstable.
With the arrival of cable cars in the 1870s, people started building new mansions on taller hills. These were mostly north of Market Street, especially Nob Hill. By the 1890s, Rincon Hill was no longer seen as a fancy place. Writer Robert Louis Stevenson described it as a "new slum."
Rincon Hill's Decline and Industrial Shift
The 1906 earthquake and fire destroyed the remaining large homes on Rincon Hill. Simple earthquake shacks were built in their place and stayed for many years. While much of San Francisco quickly rebuilt, Rincon Hill remained largely undeveloped.
After the earthquake, there was a plan to remove Rincon Hill completely. This would create more flat land near the waterfront. Even though this plan was never carried out, it was suggested again in 1913 and 1927. This discouraged builders from developing the hill.
The building of the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge in the 1930s changed the neighborhood again. The remaining shacks were cleared out. In 1933, Rincon Hill was recognized as a California Historical Landmark. The plaque mentioned that it was once a fashionable area. It also noted that famous people like William Tecumseh Sherman and William C. Ralston lived there.
With the new bridge, the area slowly became an industrial and shipping district. It was close to the Port of San Francisco and the Southern Pacific rail yards. In 1934, Rincon Hill was the site of the "Bloody Thursday" clashes. This was during a strike where two workers were killed.
In the 1950s, the Embarcadero Freeway was built. This freeway surrounded the neighborhood on three sides. It cut Rincon Hill off from the Financial District. As San Francisco's industrial jobs decreased, the area became less used and run-down. For about 25 years, Rincon Hill was largely ignored.
A Modern Residential Neighborhood Emerges
People always knew Rincon Hill had potential for housing. It was so close to downtown. But its run-down state prevented new development. In 1985, the city created a plan for Rincon Hill. This plan allowed for many new homes to be built. However, the elevated Embarcadero Freeway made development slow. The buildings were often bulky and blocked views.
The Embarcadero Freeway was damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. It was removed in the early 1990s. This made the area much more attractive for living near downtown. In 2005, the city adopted a new plan for Rincon Hill. This plan focused on tall, slender towers that were spaced far apart. It also included mid-rise buildings and townhouses.
The new plan aimed to highlight the city's natural hills. It placed the tallest skyscrapers at the top of Rincon Hill. It also made Folsom Street the main commercial street. The plan also focused on making the area better for people walking. This included narrower streets and more pathways between blocks.
The 1985 plan limited building heights to 250 feet (76 meters). The new 2005 plan raised height limits to 400 and 550 feet (122 and 168 meters). Many new residential buildings were approved. However, only The Infinity and one tower of One Rincon Hill were built before the 2008 financial crisis.
As the economy improved, construction started again. The second tower of One Rincon Hill began in 2012. Other large projects like LUMINA and 399 Fremont Street also broke ground.
In 2015, property owners voted to create the Greater Rincon Hill Community Benefit District. This group works to improve the quality of life in the neighborhood. In 2017, its name changed to the East Cut Community Benefit District. This new name better reflects the area it serves, including Rincon Hill, Folsom Street, and Transbay areas.
Images for kids
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The Embarcadero Freeway separated Rincon Hill from the Financial District for 30 years.
