San Francisco Granted Extension for 725 Harrison Office
The Planning Commission approved an 18-month extension for the BXP project as the developer seeks new tenants.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Remote Work
Live Poll
Is now a good time to resume large-scale office construction in downtown areas?
The San Francisco Planning Commission has granted an 18-month extension for the massive 981,000-square-foot office development project at 725 Harrison St. This approval gives BXP more time to secure the anchor tenants required to move forward with the $1 billion plan.
Why it matters
The extension provides a critical window for the developer to secure the 30% to 50% pre-leasing commitment necessary to unlock construction financing. This move reflects an effort to maintain progress on large-scale office projects in San Francisco despite long-term economic shifts.
The proposed 981,000-square-foot office project at 725 Harrison St. is supported by a $1 billion budget established in January 2020. The developer currently requires a 30% to 50% pre-leasing commitment for the first 550,000-square-foot phase to proceed.
The players
BXP
BXP is a major real estate investment trust and office developer that manages commercial properties in major U.S. cities.
San Francisco Planning Commission
The San Francisco Planning Commission is a local government body responsible for overseeing land use and project entitlements in the city.
OpenAI
OpenAI is an artificial intelligence research organization that has recently expanded its physical office footprint in San Francisco.
Anthropic
Anthropic is an AI safety and research company that has established a significant office presence in the city.
The details
BXP has committed to actively marketing the site to prospective companies, signaling that it is ready to move forward after a six-year pause. Plans for the phased project include the potential demolition of existing vacant buildings on the property starting as early as 2027.
Timeline
January 2020: The board initially allocated $1 billion for the office project.
January 2023: The Central Subway route opened, affecting the area.
September 24, 2026: The Planning Commission granted the 18-month project extension.
2027: Potential start date for the demolition of existing buildings.
Market Landscape
This development attempt arrives as San Francisco records seven consecutive quarters with over 2 million square feet of office leasing. The project is positioned to compete for the same corporate demand that recently drove large leases by OpenAI and Anthropic in the city.
Residents and local workers may see the start of demolition and construction activity at the 725 Harrison St. site beginning in 2027 if leasing targets are met. The potential development signifies a shift toward revitalizing vacant areas of Central SoMa.
The takeaway
This development hinges on the ability of BXP to attract major tenants to the Central SoMa district. Investors and residents should watch for future pre-leasing announcements as a key indicator of when construction will actually commence.
Further reading
For broader context on current office space demand, visit the Remote Work section.
Live Poll
Is now a good time to resume large-scale office construction in downtown areas?
