Real estate brokerage firm Castro was reportedly getting a new real estate office, pending final city approval. Later this month, the firm is slated to appeal to the Planning Commission for an office space located at 2324 Market St.
Real estate restrictions on non-retail commercial businesses had previously prevented construction, but the move had gotten support from various prominent local groups. The real estate property will have an estimated 300 square foot space which was previously occupied by Wicked Scent a decade ago. The lot had been vacant since due to its smaller size and absence of plumbing. The lot had been deemed too difficult for any type of food service restaurant planning to open there, according to a feature from Hoodline.
The firm had appealed for a change of use from the vacant retail to a business or professional service pursuant Planning Code, Sections 303 and 733.53 and 790.108.
John Oldfield, an agent with Berkshire Hathaway, stated that plans were to have approximately 12-18 employees working out of the space but not all at the same time due its small size. Berkshire Hathaway has three other San Francisco offices on Taraval, Polk and Portola. Oldfield said that plans were for the Polk St setting to provide the support for the satellite office on Market St, according to a feature from Castroretail.com.
Berkshire Hathaway had previously tried opening in the same space in 2015 but was urged to submit a Conditional Use permit due to zoning limit changes meant to control the number of financial services in various retail locations. This was not the first instance that Castro provided roadblocks to businesses through zoning changes. Back in October, an unnamed business had not obtained the right permits before opening at 4035 18th and had since moved out. District 8 Supervisor Scott Wiener had also carried out his Campaign Office for State Senate on the location.