A floating pool has been proposed for the city of San Francisco, which will be the first public pool of its kind in the city and will bring a new type of aquatic experience to the Bay Area. Located on San Francisco Bay, the Olympic-size heated pool would float on Piers 30-32, currently used as parking lots and being remodeled as part of the project.
The proposed floating pool would be surrounded by retail space, offices and apartments, including a 725-unit residential tower, 25% of which would be affordable housing. San Francisco State Senator Scott Wiener proposed legislation in 2021 authorizing construction of the pool on the state-owned piers. The plan proposes a unique recreation and relaxation space while protecting the city’s waterfront from climate change and sea level rise.
The concept has faced challenges as previous attempts to revitalize the piers have been unsuccessful. Previous plans to convert the area into a stadium, museum and cruise terminal have failed. However, Wiener is optimistic that this project will succeed. He believes the previous plans failed because attempts were made to rehabilitate the piers while this project is building them from scratch. The success of the project is dependent on city, state and various other government approvals.
The floating pool would be built on one of the two piers while the other pier would be converted into 375,000 square feet of offices and 45,000 square feet of retail space. The swimming pool would provide space for swimming laps, playing water polo and lounging in a Jacuzzi. A section of the bay surrounding the pool will be dedicated to open water swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding.
The project, similar to the Plus Pool proposed for the East River in New York City, aims to create an attractive and sustainable space that enhances the waterfront and offers opportunities for new homes and public spaces shared by all can become.
The new plan for the project is a change from previous versions that emphasized commercial space on the piers and gave the impression of a large office park with a small waterfront recreation. The latest version of the project emphasizes swimming, with a focus on public access to the bay and views of the Bay Bridge. The plan now envisages the rebuilding of a single pier, with the remaining pier being converted into an Olympic-size swimming pool, a shallow pool for swimmers, a jacuzzi and shower facilities. Along the Embarcadero there would be an indoor market with food kiosks and craft stalls for manufacturers to sell their wares.
The project’s developers, Strada Investment Group and Trammell Crow, hope to attract bay swimmers with a cordoned-off area similar to the aqua park near Crissy Field. They plan to heat the pools, most likely using fresh water rather than the cold water pumped from the bay. The developers have also released new renderings of the piers, which are more public than previous plans.
The piers’ redevelopment plan aims to revitalize the Embarcadero and make it a more pleasant public experience. The project’s success depends on making the Embarcadero feel less like walking past a few office building lobbies and more like an appealing waterfront destination. The concept has undergone several changes based on feedback from state agencies, particularly those who regulate the waterfront. The changes reflect a desire to create a space that is more in tune with the natural surroundings, with a greater emphasis on public spaces and waterfront recreation.
The project faced several challenges, including the fact that the site where the project is to be built is owned by the state, meaning that special statutory approval would be required before a developer could build there. The project must also be approved by the city, state, and several other agencies.
Developers hope the floating pool will offer a unique aquatic experience in San Francisco, drawing locals and tourists alike to the Bay Area. The concept had strong support from San Francisco Mayor London Breed, who said the project would help the city invest in critical infrastructure that protects the coast from climate change and sea-level rise, while also opening up opportunities for new homes and would create new spaces for the public to enjoy along the city’s beautiful waterfront.
Photo credit: Strada Investment Group
