Central Waterfront
New Developments in the Dogpatch/Central Waterfront
With such a limited supply of condos in the city, new construction projects have been selling out in record time, especially new developments in the Dogpatch area of Potrero Hill, one of San Francisco’s up-and-coming neighborhoods.
The Dogpatch’s Millwheel South development sold particularly fast; all units entered contract in just under a month. Larger 3 bedroom units were the first to sell out, indicating higher demand for family-ready condominiums. Millwheel South’s follow up, Millwheel North, will feature 39 units and similar finishes and amenities. Real estate investors should see Millwheel South’s quick success as an indicator of the intense demand for housing in this area, a good recipe for a sound investment.
Prices in the Dogpatch are still relatively low (median home price of ~$650,000 compared to ~$750,000 in SOMA/South Beach) without a compromise on finishes and style that you see in downtown high-rises. With more options for parking and one of the sunniest microclimates the city has to offer, home buyers are seeing the Dogpatch as a worthwhile early investment. Combined with easily accessible transportation to San Francisco’s downtown via Municipal Railway lines and Third Street, the Central Waterfront/Dogpatch offers the convenience of city living with a quaint slice of San Francisco that you simply won’t find elsewhere in the city.
For more information about new development projects in the Dogpatch, contact neighborhood professional Hector Orozco at 650.255.3001 or hector@climbsf.com.
Photo credit: SFCityCondos.com
Millwheel South
Coming soon to the Dogpatch, located at 1301 Indiana Street, is Millwheel South. This new construction will offer a total of 32 new condos that will include One, Two, and Three bedroom homes. It is part of a Two Phase project and will be the first to be completed. The other phase will be known as Millwheel North, expected to be completed sometime in 2013. These new homes will be spacious at 1,100 to 1,574 square feet and each will offer outdoor space in the form of a patio or a balcony. Many top floor units have great views of the Bay! Included with each home is one car parking with the opportunity for an additional space for purchase. There is also an option of purchasing storage space. There is only 1 One-Bedroom home available in Millwheel South. The rest of the homes are 2 Bedroom 2 Bath, 3 Bedroom 2 Bath, or 3 Bedroom 2.5 Bath residences. Prices are very competitive starting at just $649K and making their way to $800K. HOAs are icing on the cake at $295 and topping at just $390.
During my visit I was very impressed with the materials and finishes used and think many people will feel the same way. The impressive homes at Millwheel South include beautiful wide-planked wood flooring and gas fireplaces. High ceilings give these homes an impressive and spacious feel and kitchens are contemporary and provide you with gas ranges, Belmont cabinetry (www.bellmontcabinets.com) and Caesarstone countertops (http://www.caesarstoneus.com). I am a big fan of the large stainless steel basin sinks in the kitchen too!
For those interested in finding a new home with incredible convenience to public transportation and access to both the 101 and 280 Freeways, Millwheel South is the perfect place to be. Just 3 blocks from the 23rd Street station on the 3rd Street Rail and just a quick hop onto either freeway, this location will make it a breeze to come and go from work or the pleasures of downtown San Francisco.
For more information or for a tour of Millwheel South, contact Gabriel at 415-562-6999 or via email at Gabriel@climbsf.com.
The History of the Central Waterfront / Dogpatch

The Central Waterfront / Dogpatch neighborhood is nestled on the eastern side of the city between San Francisco Bay and Potrero Hill. Because the area survived the 1906 earthquake relatively undamaged, the Central Waterfront / Dogpatch offers some of the oldest existing architecture in San Francisco, some dating back to the 1860′s. But few know of the diverse and storied past of the bay-facing neighborhood.
A popular question many San Franciscans find themselves asking, is “Why exactly is it called the Dogpatch?” Well, that’s a simple one. The Dogpatch received its name for the typical sight of wild dogs sniffing around the outdoor butchers and markets of the area in the early 20th century. With roots as an informal company town, and home to immigrant laborers that worked the docks and shipyards, the Dogpatch was once a colorful meeting grounds for a multitude of ethnic groups in the budding city by the Bay. From the early 1870′s, the neighborhood was one of the first housing developments in the Potrero Hill area, with most of the modern organization of the neighborhood stemming from these initial layouts.
Situated in one of the most easily accessible ports on the San Francisco Bay, ship building technology played an important role in driving the Dogpatch’s development at the turn of the century. With the headquarters of naval manufacturers, Union Iron Works, the Dogpatch served as the building and launching site of America’s first great naval force, The Great White fleet, which Theodore Roosevelt used as a show of military power during his Presidency. As jobs for blue collar workers grew, the neighborhood saw an expansion, with more industry and naval works taking root throughout the World War I and II eras.
Following the end of the War, the Dogpatch saw a decline as jobs dried up at the shipyard and as various other industries moved overseas. Becoming somewhat of an underused residential sector during the 1960′s, San Francisco city planners considered rezoning the area as an industrial park, but never went through with plans. The 1980s saw a revitalization of the neighborhood, drawing artisans and independent workers in search of inexpensive housing, much like the Oakland of today.
Today, the area still offers affordable homes, some remaining industry, and an exciting budding arts district with tons of local flavor. With easily accessible transportation to San Francisco’s downtown via Municipal Railway lines and Third street, and local stores and services, the Central Waterfront / Dogpatch offers the convenience of city living with a quaint slice of San Francisco that you simply won’t find else where in the city.
Check out the full, fascinating history of one of San Francisco’s little known neighborhoods here:http://pier70sf.org/dogpatch/
Read up on the most recent new construction project in the Dogpatch: Millwheel SF
For information on homes in the area, or if you are interested in purchasing a new construction condo, loft, or home put your trust in the #1 broker for the Central Waterfront/Dogpatch, South Beach, Yerba Buena, and Mission Bay. Please contact me 24/7 at 415.203.6022 or email at todd@climbSF.com.
Rented for $2975 | Esprit Park: 850 Minnesota Street #255
Homes on Esprit Park are ideally situated in the Central Waterfront area of San Francisco close to Mission Bay and Potrero Hill. Restaurants, shops, entertainment and recreation are in close proximity, and transportation is easily accessible. Originally the Schilling Wine Cellars built in 1906 and then as the headquarters for Esprit sportswear, the North Court represents a unique melding of historic and modern 142 loft-style homes.
Exposed brick walls and timber beams salvaged from the century-old Schilling Wine Cellars are juxtaposed with waxed concrete, bamboo flooring and plush Berber carpet. In the kitchens, hand-crafted wood cabinets and honed granite counters play warm counterpoint to the cool of stainless steel appliances and modern, clean-lined fixtures. In the bath, honed limestone and wood pair with sleek porcelain to create a tranquil space for starting and ending each day. Tankless, energy efficient radiant floor heating systems in all units.
Common amenities include two landscaped private courtyards with seating, full exercise facility with cardiovascular and fitness equipment, electronic key access for secure entry throughout our community, two planned City Car Share spots, full size storage lockers for every home. Landscaping has been designed to incorporate many sustainable measures. And all finishes have been considered for their low environmental impact.
Unit Features
• Chefs Kitchen
• Balcony
• Radiant Heat
• Includes 1 car parking
• Storage locker and access to separate secured bike storage
Building Features
• Fitness room
• Theater room
*Courtesy of Pacific Marketing Associates



