The Edwin M. Lee Apartments has made history as San Francisco's first building to combine supportive housing for both unhoused veterans and low-income families. This groundbreaking 124,000-square-foot affordable housing development represents a new model for healthy living and resilience in the city's Mission Bay neighborhood.

Designed through a collaboration between Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects, Saida & Sullivan Design Partners, Swords to Plowshares, and Chinatown Community Development Center, the building provides 62 apartments for formerly homeless veterans and 57 apartments for low-income families. The development also features ground-floor services that serve not only residents but also neighbors and the greater community.

The architectural design successfully balances civic scale with a feeling of home, creating an environment that enables sustainable lifestyles for its residents. The building prioritizes access to views and natural daylight while showcasing alternative energy generation systems and maintaining strong connections to nearby public transportation options. At the heart of the design is a generous internal garden courtyard that provides a variety of spaces for reflection, social interaction, and recreational activities.

Sustainability is a core feature of the project, which has earned GreenPoints Rated Platinum certification. The building incorporates abundant photovoltaic and solar hot water panels that significantly reduce operating costs while providing sustainable energy solutions. The photovoltaic renewable energy system is prominently displayed to the public, serving as an integral feature in the overall building's civic design and educational mission.

The design team incorporated biophilic design principles throughout the material and assembly selections, creating a connection between residents and the natural environment. Durable material selections and well-considered detailing were specifically chosen to reduce long-term operating and maintenance costs, ensuring the building's sustainability extends beyond environmental concerns to economic viability.

The project team included key professionals such as Principal in Charge Richard Stacy, Associate Principal Gregg Novicoff, and Project Manager Edward Kopelson from Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects. Additional team members included Saida & Sullivan Design Partners as Associate Architect, Nibbi Brothers as the builder, and various engineering consultants including KPFF for structural engineering and Tommy Siu & Associates for mechanical and plumbing systems.

Named in honor of the late mayor of San Francisco, the Edwin M. Lee Apartments serves as an enduring tribute to his goal of ending homelessness for veterans in the city. The building stands as a testament to innovative approaches to affordable housing that address multiple community needs while promoting environmental sustainability and social integration.