SoMa Part 2: The Condo Comeback
Welcome to our series exploring San Francisco’s rich and diverse neighborhoods. There are nearly ninety of them, each with its own story to tell. Every week, we’ll highlight a different corner of the city, diving into its history, how it’s evolved, and the local nooks and crannies worth exploring. Our goal is to celebrate the neighborhoods that shaped the City we love and the people and stories that continue to make it what it is today.
Welcome back to Part 2 of our SoMa series. While the neighborhood’s lofts put it on the map in the 1990s, today SoMa offers one of the City’s widest ranges of condos, from industrial conversions to sleek glass high-rises.
The pandemic years slowed SoMa’s momentum. With downtown offices closed and many residents working remotely, demand cooled. Condos sat longer on the market, and rental prices dipped. For a while, it looked like SoMa had lost some of its edge.
But in 2025, the tide is shifting. Hybrid work has brought people back to downtown, and buyers are once again recognizing the value in SoMa’s condos. Compared to Mission Bay or South Beach, SoMa homes often offer more square footage for the price, especially in loft-style units with flexible layouts. High ceilings, open kitchens, and floor-to-ceiling windows make these spaces ideal for remote work setups or creative studios.
Adding to the renewed energy, several AI and tech companies – including OpenAI, Anthropic, and Hive – have been expanding or leasing space in SoMa. Their return is breathing new life into local cafés, restaurants, and retail, while signaling confidence in the area’s long-term growth.
Lofts remain the neighborhood’s crown jewel. Iconic conversions like The Clocktower Lofts and The Oriental Warehouse show how industrial bones can be reimagined into stunning residences. Boutique buildings tucked into quiet streets like Rausch or Langton deliver charm on a smaller scale, while developments near Yerba Buena and South Park pair luxury finishes with an urban vibe.
The condo market’s comeback is also being fueled by both investors and first-time buyers. For investors, SoMa offers competitive entry points with solid rental demand on the horizon. For first-time buyers, it’s an opportunity to get into the San Francisco market with a modern home that fits their lifestyle.
SoMa has always been a neighborhood of reinvention, and this current condo revival is simply the latest chapter.
Next time, in Part 3, we’ll highlight the local businesses, cultural landmarks, and nightlife that make SoMa more than just a place to live.
