Presidio Gorgas Railroad Complex

New Purpose for Historic Warehouses

  • client

    The Presidio Trust

  • location

    San Francisco, CA

  • size

    41,600 SF (4 buildings)

  • sustainability

    LEED Silver

TEF rehabilitated four circa-1919 wood-framed warehouses for the Presidio Trust, converting the historic structures into flexible, lease-ready commercial space. Originally built to store U.S. Army supplies, the project resolved accessibility challenges, upgraded building systems, and preserved the warehouses’ historic character for generations of future tenants.

Open historic interior with restored wood floors, exposed timber trusses, suspended linear lights, and visible ductwork, framed by a close-up of a weathered wood column. Restored open interior with wood floors, exposed timber columns and roof framing, white walls, and suspended linear lights.

A Sensitive Seismic Retrofit

TEF crafted sensitive structural solutions to strengthen the century-old wood-framed buildings while preserving their historic integrity. The seismic retrofit included new wood shearwalls and foundation improvements, reinforcing the structures without compromising their character. Additional upgrades addressed windows, doors, roofing, waterproofing, siding, and mechanical and plumbing systems throughout the four buildings.

Large white sliding barn door opening into a long timber-framed interior with restored wood floors and suspended linear lights.
Expansive restored interior with wood floors, exposed timber columns and roof trusses, suspended linear lights, and visible ductwork.

Accessible Entries for Elevated Warehouses

Because each warehouse sits well above adjacent grade, TEF designed new exterior ramps, decks, and safety railings to create an accessible entry at every building. Additional ADA upgrades resolved path-of-travel deficiencies throughout, while new fire alarm systems and upgraded fire ratings improved life safety across the complex.

Large white sliding barn door mounted on exposed hardware inside a restored timber building with wood floors, visible roof insulation, and a suspended linear light. Close-up of historic wood wall framing and diagonal braces, with weathered boards, newer reinforcement members, and handwritten construction markings.

Tenant-Ready Commercial Interiors

Interior upgrades gave each building a functional, adaptable footprint within its historic shell. Every warehouse received a finished core with toilet rooms, janitor’s closets, and electrical and telecom rooms, along with entirely new MEP systems to support future tenant flexibility. Open interiors with high exposed beam ceilings, refinished wood floors, and ample natural light from windows and skylights leave each space ready for move-in.

Open timber-framed interior with restored wood floors, white-painted structural framing, suspended linear lights, and skylights bringing daylight into the space.
Expansive restored interior with wood floors, white-painted timber columns and trusses, suspended linear lights, and tall windows along the perimeter.
Bright restored interior with white-painted wood framing, hardwood floors, tall windows, and a glazed door.

Team