11-Unit Project Advances at Mission's 19th and Guerrero
A seven-story, 11-unit housing development at 19th and Guerrero streets moves through city approvals as Mission sees new brewery and business changes.
The proposed 20,500-square-foot building at 668 Guerrero St. would include two one-bedroom units, seven two-bedroom units and three three-bedroom units. The $8.2 million project includes 10 parking spots and 12 bicycle spaces but no ground-floor commercial space.
Developer Real Equity Group One, LLC from Mill Valley is using state law SB 423 to expedite the permitting process. The Planning Department expects to approve the project within 90 days, according to a city spokesperson. Two units will be designated affordable housing per city requirements.
The same property was considered for a 40-unit project in 2015 that never materialized. Riyah Ghannam from Mission District’s RG Architecture designed the current proposal.
Meanwhile, the Mission’s dining and drinking scene continues evolving with Sugoi Brewing Company applying for permits to open at 2931 16th St., near Capp Street. The Asian-inspired brewery launched last year and creates beers like kumquat saison, red ale with goji berries, and rice lager. The company has partnered with local restaurants including Chile Lindo, Yuja, Breakthrough Sushi and SAMS for food pairings.
On Valencia Street, property owner Molly W. Fong decided to use her storefront at 1034 Valencia St. for a branch of her own business, New Pacific Realty and Investment, after struggling to find a tenant since Audrey closed in early 2024.
“I hope the neighborhood will not object in me opening my branch offices,” Fong texted Tuesday. “I have been in real estate, management and sales since 1980.”
Fong supported opening Club Pilates in the space last year, but merchants and neighbors opposed the studio, arguing it didn’t fit the corridor’s small business character. She successfully changed the space designation from retail to retail professional to accommodate her realty office.
Finding tenants proved challenging, with many prospects saying the space was too large. A cannabis club expressed interest, but Fong rejected the idea. “I don’t want people selling drugs in my building,” she said.
The Mission also celebrated cultural recognition this week as Los Tigres del Norte received keys to the city from Mayor Daniel Lurie at City Hall Monday. The norteño band, formed in San Jose in the late 1960s by the Hernandez brothers, has been a voice for immigrant rights and social justice.
“Los Tigres del Norte use corridos to share stories of immigration, labor, identity, love, loss and hope, turning music into a source of dignity, belonging and joy,” Lurie said during the ceremony. The band gifted the mayor a black cowboy hat from a box reading “jefe de jefes” (boss of bosses).
Los Tigres del Norte performs at Chase Center February 20. New York City named Los Tigres del Norte Way in the band’s honor last year.
The neighborhood’s Valentine’s Day tradition continues with Lover’s Lane returning to Balmy Alley for the fifth consecutive year. The February 14 event from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. brings vendors, artists, DJs, lowriders and performers to the mural-covered alley between Harrison and 24th streets. Local muralist Lucía Lousie Araiza Uribe, who grew up in Balmy Alley, founded the celebration in 2022.
Supervisors unanimously approved a symbolic resolution Tuesday evening to designate the Mission Cultural Center for the Latino Arts as a hub for Latino arts. District 9 Supervisor Jackie Fielder introduced the non-binding resolution. The center remains closed for a two-year seismic retrofit expected to begin next year.