Mark Cavagnero and IwamotoScott Complete Hawkins Residence on Treasure Island

This blog post examines the ongoing redevelopment of San Francisco’s Treasure Island. It focuses on the recently completed Hawkins residential building and what it signals for the Bay Area’s broader housing strategy.

I break down design decisions, neighborhood connectivity, and amenity strategy. The post also looks at how this project fits within the island’s plan to deliver 8,000 homes, including a commitment that 27 percent will be affordable.

Treasure Island redevelopment: a strategic response to the Bay Area housing crisis

Treasure Island is being remade as part of a long-term effort to expand housing supply in the Bay Area. The target is 8,000 new residential units, with nearly one-third set aside as affordable.

Early completions like the Maceo May Apartments — a project for formerly homeless veterans and their families — show the mixed social goals of the master plan. These projects also highlight the scale of redevelopment happening on the island.

Completed and nearly completed homes on the island now exceed 1,200 units. This already represents more than one-eighth of the final target.

Delivering density close to transit and waterfront access helps relieve pressure on infill sites elsewhere in the region.

Why Hawkins matters to planners and designers

Hawkins is a 178-unit midrise designed by Mark Cavagnero Associates with interiors by IwamotoScott Architecture. At roughly 220,000 square feet, it adds significantly to the island’s housing stock and offers a compact, amenity-rich model for modern multifamily design.

Key project attributes include:

Hawkins offers a landscaped roof deck with seating, fire pits, and panoramic views of the Bay. These amenities extend living space and support social interaction while making the most of the waterfront location.

Interiors use durable, market-appropriate finishes such as stainless steel appliances and pale wood cabinetry. This balances cost, warmth, and longevity.

Connectivity and the role of transit

One of Treasure Island’s advantages is its connection to San Francisco via ferry. Hawkins is an eight-minute ferry ride from downtown, offering a fast commute and reducing dependence on cars.

Transit access is central to making midrise, higher-density projects viable in many coastal communities. It also increases the value of well-designed public spaces and shared amenities, as residents can easily reach jobs and services off-island.

Next phases and lessons for multifamily development

Mark Cavagnero Associates is also delivering 490 Avenue of the Palms, a 148-unit building slated to open this fall. This project reinforces the firm’s role in shaping Treasure Island’s emerging fabric.

These projects show a clear approach: align building design with local climate data. They also provide a mix of unit types and layer amenity spaces to support both private and communal needs.

For architects, developers, and public officials facing the Bay Area housing shortage, Treasure Island serves as a case study. It demonstrates how density, affordable housing, and active waterfront spaces can work together to create strong, appealing neighborhoods.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Mark Cavagnero and IwamotoScott complete residential building on Treasure Island