San Francisco Downtown Development Corporation

We're the nonprofit working alongside civic, business, labor, & philanthropic partners to revitalize & reimagine downtown San Francisco.

[San Francisco Downtown Development Corporation @SF_DDC]

Hey X/Twitter – we’re the San Francisco Downtown Development Corporation (DDC) 👋

We’re working with civic, business, labor, & community partners to revitalize, reimagine, & build a 24/7 downtown that works for everyone.

[San Francisco Downtown Development Corporation @SF_DDC]

🌈✨Downtown First Thursdays returns TONIGHT for a special Pride Month celebration!

Join us for an evening of art, music, community, and culture in the heart of downtown San Francisco.

📅Thursday, June 4
⏰ 5-10 PM
📍 2nd Street (between Market & Howard)

🔊A Discoteca Takeover @ Howard Stage hosted by @thegracetowers: featuring @davidharness and @b0nitababy (presented by @apeconcerts), @goodvbzparty, and @oaklandtoall with a ballroom set.

🖼️ FREE admission to @MoADsf, featuring:
✨ UNBOUND: Art, Blackness & the Universe
✨ Jasmine Ross: Beauty Plus

🪩 D.A.D (Dudes and Disco) takes over Jessie Alley with disco, house, funk, and more.

🌴 @boomboombayarea takes over the Natoma Cabana Dance Hall, bringing a pop party with a Brazilian twist - global beats, baile funk, and bombazos latinos all night long.

✨ Come celebrate Pride, discover new artists, and dance your way through downtown!

Made possible with support from @Civic_Joy_Fund, @IntotheStreetsSF, @visitYerbaBuenaSF, and contributions from the DDC, @Ripple, Bob and Randi Fisher of the @PiscesFoundation, and @Salesforce.

[San Francisco Downtown Development Corporation @SF_DDC]

Data Wednesdays 📊✨

This week's number: 600+

That's how many blocks are power-washed each month through DDC grant funding. 🧼

In partnership with the @UnionSquareSF, DDC support has also helped expand power washing and street cleaning operations along Powell Street, delivering more than 120 hours of service each week to surrounding blocks.

Clean, welcoming streets help create a better downtown experience for residents, workers, visitors, and local businesses alike.

📸Craig Lee / @CraigLeePhoto

#DowntownSF #SanFrancisco #SFDDC #LetsGoSanFrancisco

[San Francisco Downtown Development Corporation @SF_DDC]

Powell Street is where millions of people experience downtown San Francisco for the first time.

Thank you to @DannySauter and the @sfbos for their unanimous support of our grant to help transform this iconic corridor into a vibrant, welcoming destination for residents, workers, businesses, and visitors alike.

We look forward working with @DanielLurieSF, @DannySauter, @SFPublicWorks, @sfoewd, @UnionSquareSF to bring this vision to life!

[San Francisco Downtown Development Corporation @SF_DDC]

Powell Street is getting an upgrade ✨

Today, the DDC announced a $14.5M commitment to bring the Powell Street Improvement Project to life in partnership with Mayor @DanielLurie, Supervisor Danny Sauter, @sfpublicworks and @UnionSquareSF. We’re excited to help transform Powell Street into a vibrant, world-class public space in the heart of downtown SF.

Special thanks to local businesses and property owners stepping up to help make the project possible:
▪️ Hilton San Francisco Union Square & Parc 55 San Francisco, A Hilton Hotel
▪️ Katherine and David deWilde
▪️ The Stratford Hotel
▪️ The Flood Family
▪️ The Varlow Family
▪️ Uris Acquisitions

The project will renovate the streetscapes, widen sidewalks, add beautiful lanterns above Powell Street, and include an amazing LED light installation over the iconic cable car turnaround.

Learn more in @sfchronicle: https://t.co/ruynQ7KMHy

📸Photos courtesy of Field Operations

[San Francisco Downtown Development Corporation @SF_DDC]

Have you been to @theeastcut lately? 🌳🏙️

The @sfchronicle highlights how more families are choosing to call the East Cut home, with The Crossing becoming the neighborhood's gathering place for playground trips, pickleball games, movie nights, community events, outdoor dining, and more.

The DDC has invested in community programming at The Crossing because building a downtown for everyone means creating places where people from all walks of life can come together, meet their neighbors, and build connections that wouldn't happen otherwise.

📸Lea Suzuki/S.F. Chronicle
📸Minh Connors/S.F. Chronicle

Read more in the @sfchronicle link in bio!

[San Francisco Downtown Development Corporation @SF_DDC]

🏙️ Downtown Happenings:

🖼️A new @CACollegeofArts exhibit is bringing student artwork into San Francisco’s Financial District
🤝 Corporate volunteer teams are supporting downtown revitalization and public space improvements
🏢 Lone Star Funds and Harvest Properties plan renovations at 600 California Street as downtown investment activity continues
🎉 Downtown First Thursdays return June 5 with a free street party on 2nd Street featuring live music, food, art, shopping, and more
🎭 Free Pride Drag Shows hosted by @sf_downtown return to downtown starting June 5 at 101 California Plaza
🛍️ Maum Market brings Korean-inspired vendors, food, and small businesses to the Ferry Building May 31
🎹 Noontime Concerts continues its free live music series downtown
🐾 The Market Street Pack Walk brings dogs and owners downtown on June 4
🎨 @sf_downtown partnership events this week include Breakfast Jams, Jazz on the Plaza, Chess on the Plaza, and Downtown Jukebox with DJ Chris Go

Learn more: https://t.co/69ONICso0c

[San Francisco Downtown Development Corporation @SF_DDC]

What does the future of downtown San Francisco look like?

Next week, DDC CEO Shola Olatoye will join the inaugural Idea SF Forum panel, “Can Downtown Transform?”, moderated by @Bloomberg reporter @eli_kamisher, for a conversation on downtown recovery, urban leadership, and the opportunities ahead for San Francisco and cities across the country.

🗓️ June 2–3, 2026
📍Gap INC., San Francisco, CA

Learn more about the event: https://t.co/HqozuoZnW6

[San Francisco Downtown Development Corporation @SF_DDC]

Welcome to Data Wednesdays 📊✨

This week’s number: 175,000

That’s how many people have shown up for DDC-funded downtown events and activations – from Downtown First Thursdays to @UnionSquareSF's Winter Walk 🏙️

More people downtown = more foot traffic, more energy, and more support for local businesses, restaurants, and neighborhood events. Downtown SF is showing up. 💥

📸: Sammy Braxton-Haney

[San Francisco Downtown Development Corporation @SF_DDC]

🏙️ Downtown Happenings:

🌆 @sacbee highlights San Francisco’s downtown recovery as other California cities look for ways to revive their downtowns
🎬 Ferry Flicks screens Bend It Like Beckham tonight at 7 PM at @FortPointBeer Garden for their final screening
🎉 Fridays on Front Street return this summer with free block parties hosted by @sf_downtown featuring live music, food, and outdoor activities
☕ Sanaa Cafe opens its third downtown location at 27 Drumm Street, bringing Yemeni coffee and pastries to the Financial District
🥤 @CottiCoffee_ , a fast-growing Chinese coffee chain, is opening two San Francisco locations
🥙 Turkish restaurant Oklava is coming to Saluhall, adding another food destination downtown
🍦 @sf_downtown hosts a free Ice Cream Social downtown on Tuesday, May 26 from 3:30–5:30 PM with free @PollyAnnIceCream and music from Syd and I

Learn more: https://t.co/MZuZGTLDFC

[San Francisco Downtown Development Corporation @SF_DDC]

🌿 🫧 ICYMI: Alongside Mayor @DanielLurie, @RecParkSF, and city partners, DDC and Crankstart are committing $20M toward the reimagining of the Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park as part of a $40M effort to transform 5 acres near San Francisco's downtown waterfront.

We’re excited about what this space can become for San Franciscans and visitors alike!

Read more from the @SFBusinessTimes: https://t.co/uPfmTsNIBN

[San Francisco Business Times @SFBusinessTimes]

San Francisco billionaire Michael Moritz's foundation is joining forces with downtown business interests to fund a major redesign of Embarcadero Plaza, following a pattern of tech wealth stepping in to support public projects. https://t.co/M4rmoRLHzt

[Demian Bulwa @demianbulwa]

Exclusive:

Billionaire-backed donors fuel remake of San Francisco's Embarcadero Plaza

By @laura_waxee https://t.co/uKU5B4kH0k

[San Francisco Downtown Development Corporation @SF_DDC]

🌳 One of downtown San Francisco’s most iconic public spaces is entering a new chapter!

The new Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park represents a major investment in downtown’s future as a place where people want to gather, spend time, and experience the city together.

"Great cities have world-class public spaces, and we have a once in a generation opportunity to create an iconic park and plaza for San Francisco’s waterfront that brings residents, workers, and visitors into the heart of downtown.” - DDC CEO, Shola Olatoye

The DDC is proud to support this project alongside Mayor @DanielLurieSF, @RecParkSF, @crankstartfoun1, Downtown SF Partnership, and partners across the city.

Read more from @laura_waxee in the @SFChronicle: https://t.co/HIOm1fTfUI

[San Francisco Downtown Development Corporation @SF_DDC]

🏙️ Downtown Happenings:

🛍️ @CHANEL moves its SF flagship from 156 Geary to 195 Grant Ave, continuing luxury retail investment in Union Square
🏢 Kairos Investment Management lists 550 Kearny for sale as AI-driven demand boosts investor interest in downtown office space
🎭 Museum of Illusions opens near Market Street
🎬 Ferry Flicks returns to @FortPointBeer tonight with Moonrise Kingdom at 7 PM
🏃 Bay to Breakers returns Sunday, May 17, bringing runners and crowds through downtown neighborhoods
🎩 @SFMOMA Hat Party returns Sunday, May 17 with art, fashion, and live entertainment
🧥 Pickwick Vintage Show brings vintage vendors to the Ferry Building this Sunday, May 17 (10 AM–4 PM)
🍵 Adrian Chen of Chafolio hosts a tea talk & tasting at the Ferry Building on Saturday, May 16 (11–11:45 AM)
🎨 Marie Massey & Rene Rodriguez host a live painting event at Mechanics Monument Plaza
🎤 B3Bone Trio performs Jazz on the Plaza on Wednesday, May 20 (12–2 PM)
🎧 DJ @SalenieBeanie returns to Downtown Jukebox on Thursday, May 21 (12–2 PM)

Learn more: https://t.co/QxlcNmOdFa

[San Francisco Downtown Development Corporation @SF_DDC]

Last week, our CEO Shola Olatoye joined Peter Scher and Supervisor @RafaelMandelman at the @AEI's American Dream Initiative Solutions Summit for the “From Recovery to Growth: Revitalizing San Francisco’s Economy” panel moderated by @RobertDoar.

The panel dug into what's driving the momentum in downtown SF today, what's still holding the city back, and the ideas needed to unlock the next phase of investment, activity, and growth downtown.

Thanks to everyone who attended, and for a great conversation!

[San Francisco Downtown Development Corporation @SF_DDC]

Still celebrating our CEO Shola Olatoye receiving the Inspire Award at the @SFBusinessTimes Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business Awards, alongside so many incredible honorees! 🏆

Congratulations again to the fellow Inspire Award recipients Cathy Adams, Anna Marie Presutti, and Marisa Rodriguez. 🎉

Thank you to Molly Lorenz at Leadership Framework for sharing photos from the evening!

📷 Photos: Chloe Jackman/Chloe Jackman Photography

Read more: https://t.co/gDFSwMb5pr

[San Francisco Downtown Development Corporation @SF_DDC]

🤖 AI growth continues to drive SF’s office recovery and hiring momentum
🏢 @lightspeedvp signs a major downtown lease near New Montgomery
💼 Malin opens a new flex office space at 100 Sansome
🛍️ Project Uris buys another Union Square retail building at 120 Maiden Lane
🏋️ @bayclubs buys block surrounding longtime downtown SF home
🌆 Union Square continues showing signs of recovery as businesses and foot traffic return
🎶 @YBGFestival launches the Bhangra & Beats Night Market season
🔊 A free EDM concert celebrating @OmRecords’ 30th anniversary hits Embarcadero Plaza on Sat May 9 (1–5 PM)
🎬 Ferry Flicks screens Crazy Rich Asians tonight at @FortPointBeer
🎤 Lunch & Rhyme, Jazz on the Plaza & Downtown Jukebox bring live music downtown next week

Learn more: https://t.co/s5HavWW7tB