Transforming Healthcare Space in San Francisco’s Van Ness Corridor

939 Ellis Street stands as a key medical hub in San Francisco’s Van Ness corridor, offering prime healthcare space near Sutter Health’s CPMC and anchored by Kaiser Permanente. Image: Courtesy of Rethink Capital

As San Francisco’s Van Ness corridor continues to evolve into a premier destination for medical and healthcare services, one property is emerging as a centerpiece of this transformation: 939 Ellis Street. Located just steps from Sutter Health’s California Pacific Medical Center, this medical office building is 87,000 sf with 45,000 sf of contiguous space available, representing the largest contiguous medical space currently available in the city. With top-tier transit access, flexible suite configurations, and existing tenancy by Kaiser Permanente, 939 Ellis is poised to meet the growing demand for modern, centrally located healthcare facilities.

Lab Design News spoke with Trask Leonard, president/CEO of Bayside Realty Partners, and Kurt Hackett, vice president of asset management of Rethink Capital Partners, to explore what makes this property unique, how it fits into the city’s revitalization efforts, and why they believe the Van Ness corridor is shaping the future of healthcare in San Francisco.

Q: How does the location of 939 Ellis Street within the Van Ness Corridor influence design considerations for medical office spaces, particularly regarding patient access and transit connectivity?

Trask Leonard: This location is in the heart of the city’s public transit infrastructure, which makes it very convenient for a broad patient geography. Those living in San Francisco can easily access it via the new high-speed MUNI bus lane on Van Ness, BART, or other local MUNI lines. It is also no more than a 30-minute drive from many other Bay Area communities including the Peninsula and much of the East Bay and Marin County.

Q: What are the key building features or infrastructure elements that make 939 Ellis a strong fit for modern medical and outpatient practices compared to older healthcare facilities in the area?

Kurt Hackett: The building offers full floor tenancy with approximately 45,000 square feet of contiguous space available across three floors. It also has efficient floor plates with a central core, high ceilings, updated mechanical systems, a parking garage with electric vehicle charging stations, and bicycle storage.

Q: As demand grows for healthcare spaces in urban environments like San Francisco, what design strategies are essential for balancing patient comfort, operational efficiency, and future adaptability?

Trask Leonard: Many providers are designing flexible clinic spaces that can be adapted over time to various user groups. This is accomplished by standardized exam rooms, work areas, and offices.

Modernized with flexible, build-ready medical suites and a rooftop terrace for wellness and events, 939 Ellis Street is designed to meet evolving healthcare needs and support innovation in San Francisco’s revitalized Van Ness corridor. Image: Courtesy of Rethink Capital

Q: Given that part of 939 Ellis is already occupied by Kaiser Permanente, how did that existing tenancy influence renovation plans, suite configurations, and infrastructure upgrades for the remaining available space?

Trask Leonard: The building’s mechanical systems and common areas are already modernized, including a beautiful lobby and a unique large rooftop terrace with views of the city and the bay. Since the remaining spaces are in shell condition, they can be designed to suit the needs of the providers.

Q: How is the rooftop terrace at 939 Ellis integrated into the building’s design from a wellness, staff satisfaction, or even patient experience perspective?

Kurt Hackett: The terrace is available to all tenants and patients. It can also be used for tenant-hosted events.

Q: What specific considerations went into ensuring the building was "build-ready" for a variety of medical specialties, and how does that flexibility impact both the design and long-term leasing potential?

Kurt Hackett: Previous zoning only allowed office use. The current zoning, however, allows medical clinic use, both on an outpatient and inpatient basis. This flexibility allows a variety of user types to work, including overnight acute-care for certain provider types.

Q: With San Francisco's renewed focus on business revitalization and AI-driven healthcare innovation, how is Rethink Healthcare Real Estate positioning 939 Ellis to accommodate future technological and operational trends in medicine?

Kurt Hackett: By utilizing flexible floorplates, thoughtful exam room designs, and scalable infrastructure, we can adapt the building to emerging technologies and clinical innovations.