Excerpts from: The San Francisco Chronicle

November 2008

Living the High Life

Glodow Nead, Communications ; Gabriana Marks

Soma Grand homeowners can enjoy a state-of-the-art fitness center and beautifully landscaped, private outdoor sundeck with barbecue area.

Despite a real estate market in flux, high-rise living continues to climb in downtown San Frandsco. What sets these buildings apart are their amenities and location. Close to public transportation, world-class restaurants, shopping and entertainment, these homes boast an ideal location for work and play. Many of the homes feature panoramic views and each community offers amenities comparable to five-star hotels.

"These high-rises incorporate retail with housing and provide common areas for residents to socialize, explains Jordan Sills, CEO of J2 Properties, an industrial and retail developer in San Francisco. "You can't find this elsewhere. It is truly a low-stress lifestyle."

Soma Grand, a 23-story residential tower that sells what they refer to as, 'Lifestyle condos' is located at 1085 Mission St., between 7th and 8th streets. The neighborhood is one of the reasons people buy here," says Adam Chall, a developer for Soma Grand. "It is a rapidly transitioning neighborhood. Four new boutique hotels by Joie de Vivre hospitality just opened up on the corner. There are all sorts of cool, little stores and restaurants opening in the neighborhood,"

The exterior features the city's largest work of glass art. "Realm" is a 5,OOO-square-foot, color infused glass mural designed by Bay Area glass artist Dorothy Lenehan. The Reaves Gallery in the building's entrance also hosts rotating art exhibitions.

A generous, private outdoor space at Soma Grand provides residents with a fire pit, outdoor heating, a barbecue and plenty of seating. The landscaped deck also has a beautiful fountain wall and a hot tub. Residents here also enjoy the commlinity room, a great place to host events or parties. It includes a chef's kitchen, comfortable seating, a large-screen TV and a sound system equipped for iPods.

A treatment room for massages or yoga classes makes it easy to unwind after work, and each machine in the fitness center has an individual TV screen so residents can watch whatever they like.

Coming next spring, acclaimed chef Charles Phan of The Slanted Door fame, will open a restaurant, lounge and lunchtime noodle bar. Still under construction, the yet-to-be-named establishment will include a bar made from a huge slab of cypress.

One of Soma Grand's most prized amenities is their partnership with Joie de Vivre Hospitality. Complimentary Peet's Coffee and Tea is served in the Lobby, and the concierge is on hand to arrange a variety of services. "They can tell you who can walk your dog, who can cater your party, who can come give you a massage, just about anything you need," says Chall.

Many of the homes feature views spanning 210 degrees - from the Transamerica Pyramid to Twin Peaks...

Soma Grand... benefits from their location's "walkability." Not only is San Francisco rated the most "walkable" city in the nation, but topping the list of the city's most "walkable neighborhoods" are the Financial District, downtown and SoMa with scores of 99, 98 and 96, respectively.