Yerba Buena Lofts

I'm moving in! I'll be running my dance/pilates studio from here starting this month. I'm in love with the building, the neighborhood, the neighbors, everything! We're stoked!

I've lived in Yerba Buena Lofts (YBL) for six months now and so far, I'm loving it!

YBL is a condominium building in the heart of San Francisco, right in the Yerba Buena District of SoMa. The complex was designed by famed architect Stanley Saitowitz and finished construction in 2002. It has received dozens of accolades from architecture experts around the world.

There are 200 units in the building and 89 layouts - there's only two of most layout designs, and four of a few. Personally, I looked at quite a few, but it wasn't until I found mine that I fell in love. Every design offers something different. All have balconies and some (on the fifth floor) have huge 500 square foot patios! All have very open floor plans, but some have enclosed bedrooms in addition to the loft. Some have spiral staircases, others have a straight staircase. The top floor units all have skylights and slightly higher ceilings. The ground floor units have front and back entrances and are zoned for live/work. Most units have at least one parking space deeded to them, which also offers a safe place to lock your bike.

My unit still has the original appliances - the GE Profile series. It's unbelievable to me that are still working perfectly after 16 years - they must have been the best quality available at the time. In fact, most of the units I looked at have original finishes - which is to say, nothing breaks! It's incredibly how high the quality of everything is - appliances, fans, faucets, sinks, bathrooms, flooring, lighting, etc.

One thing I think all the units have in common (as far as I can tell) is being incredibly sound proof. I've never heard any of my neighbors, and as far as I know, they've never heard me (phew!).

The people in the building are awesome. My neighbors are all friendly and considerate. I've become close friends with several already. Phyllis and her team take great care of us at the front desk. They not only keep us safe, but they brighten up our day! I've never been in a building that has such consistently friendly and upbeat front desk staff. Of course, they also take care of packages, mail, and a lot more! Diane is the building manager, and she does a great job keeping everything running smoothly. I don't know the maintenance or cleaning staff's names yet, but I also appreciate their work and friendly smiles. The elected HOA also seems quite strong. In my diligence of YBL and many comparable buildings, YBL had the most clean financials, no assessments, and plenty in reserves.

There's a lot of construction in the neighborhood now, but that's going to pay off big time in 2 years or so (2020-2022). The 4th Street muni will have a stop right on the corner, which will offer direct access up to BART, financial district, and China Town, or down to Caltrain, Dogpatch, AT&T Park, or the new Warriors Stadium.

The location can't be beat:
-- Safe, walkable neighborhood
-- Yerba Buena park 2 blocks away
-- Metreon (mall + movie theater) 2 blocks away
-- Westfield Mall 2 blocks away
-- Whole Foods Market 1 block away
-- Zero Zero, Oola, Jamber, Subway, Mr. East, Vitality Bowls, Contraband Coffee and more across the street, and dozens more restaurants within walking distance including Marlowe, Benu, Cockscomb, CoinOp, Chipotle, etc
-- Several hotels nearby, including Virgin Hotel, with a beautiful rooftop bar (opening soon)

Transportation couldn't be closer:
-- BART 2 blocks away
-- CalTrain 3 blocks away
-- MUNI at the corner (completing 2019)
-- 80/101 South onramp 1 block away
-- 80 Bay Bridge onramp 2 blocks away
-- 280 South onramp 3 blocks away

I could go on and on! So glad to be living here - I hope you'll join me!

Good luck with the HOA :) lived there for two very long years, don't miss anything about it.

I grew tired of living here over 10+ years for a variety of reasons. For more reasons than below but I don't want to air every reason here on yelp.

I'll keep my response here brief but will say the following:

1. The neighborhood construction is an ongoing mess. The Muni extension project and stop going in at 4th and Folsom is 6+ years into construction (longer than the golden gate bridge). Businesses have gone out of business because of this project directly across the street.

2. The busiest fire department in the US is on Folsom a few blocks away. If you have a unit on Folsom side, keep in mind that and fire truck leaving there will be coming by the building as Folsom is a one way.

Note - if you are looking to buy in this building...make sure you ask for the true square footage of the unit(s) you're looking at per builders records.
The cities records are almost always overstated and agents selling rarely correct them to reflect the correct square footage (why this isn't required is amazing to me).

It may be the coolest looking lofts in SoMa... award-winning architecture and all... and it may boast of the best location... couple blocks from Union Square and and a few blocks to Caltrain and AT&T Park... Whole Foods is just around the corner and a ton of great restaurants within walking distance. But trust me, we're glad we're moving out of YBL. Dealing with the HOA is a nightmare. They have the most ridiculous rules. For example, I was moving a TINY cocktail table today and they had to stop me and I had to wait because they had to put the elevator pads on because it is HOA rule to protect the elevators when moving furniture. Hello?! I have seen people moving grocery bags and baby strollers in and out of the building that are far bigger than my tiny little cocktail table. The HOA does NOT have common sense.

Because of their insane HOA, I would definitely NOT recommend YBL to anyone who's looking for a loft to buy or rent. Also, the neighborhood around and beyond 5th and Folsom is not the best place if you have a dog... the neighborhood is just FILTHY! There's broken glass (from car break-ins) and chicken bones everywhere. Absolutely not the best place to walk your dog. I would recommend to buy or rent a place beyond 3rd St and Bryant toward the water if you want to live in SoMa or South Beach.

The most distinguished and intriguing lofts in the city. Period.

And the people who live there rock too.

Mike showed us the loft at a time that was suitable to our busy schedule... Within a few days we had signed the lease and were moving in. Mike has been available to help with any issues (a sticky door).

The front desk staff are super friendly and helpful, and available to help 24/7

Some great features on site at this address like the dry cleaning make living and working here easy

This building is the best! What an amazing design...and great location to all the best stuff in the city. The coolest people in the city live here. :)

Never lived here...just visited a friend time and time again. The building is interesting but does have that prison like feel as you navigate the long interior corridors. If you dig that, then you might like it here.

Lived in this place for 3 years. Prime location. Beautiful, bright lofts.

I watched & waited eagerly as this palace of glass, steel & concrete was erected.

And when they were done, I had to have a piece of it for myself.

Close proximity to the revamped Westfield Shopping Center, SFMOMA, Yerba Buena Gardens & Center for the Arts, 101, 280 freeways & the Bay Bridge, Whole Foods, AMC Metreon movie theater, and a couple amazing restaurants right across the street (Oola, Azie, LuLu).

Been here and loved it since 2002!