If you’ve spent any time walking through the SoMa district in San Francisco, you’ve definitely passed it. 500 Howard Street isn't just another glass-and-steel box. It’s a landmark. Situated at the corner of Howard and 1st Streets, this building has basically served as the central nervous system for some of the most influential shifts in the tech world over the last two decades. It’s right there, sitting in the shadow of the Salesforce Tower, yet it holds its own history that many newcomers to the city totally overlook.
It’s a massive space. We’re talking about a Class A office building that spans roughly 350,000 square feet. It's prime real estate. Honestly, the location is unbeatable if you’re a company trying to attract talent that commutes via the Transbay Joint Powers Authority’s transit center. You step out of the office and you're practically on the bus to the East Bay or walking distance to the Ferry Building.
Why 500 Howard Street San Francisco CA Became a Tech Powerhouse
The building’s identity is inextricably linked to the giants that have called it home. For years, the big name on the door was Salesforce. Before they built the massive tower that now dominates the skyline, Benioff’s crew occupied a huge chunk of 500 Howard. It was their headquarters during a period of insane growth. If you were in SaaS in the early 2010s, this was the epicenter.
But then things shifted.
As Salesforce expanded into its own skyscraper, 500 Howard Street San Francisco CA didn't just sit empty. It became the home of Slack. This is where the "email killer" really found its legs. Think about that for a second. The software that changed how almost every modern office communicates was refined and scaled right here. It’s kind of wild to imagine the sheer volume of code written within those walls that now dictates your workday notifications.
The building itself was designed by Heller Manus Architects. They’re a heavy hitter in the city. They went for a look that blends into the neighborhood but still feels substantial. It was completed around 2002. Since then, it has seen the dot-com bust recovery, the rise of the cloud, the mobile revolution, and now the AI boom. It’s a survivor.
The Architecture and Feel of the Space
Walking into the lobby, you get that high-end San Francisco tech vibe—polished, modern, and very "we have a venture capital round." It features a distinct glass curtain wall. This isn't just for looks. The natural light in those upper floor plates is incredible, which is a big deal in a city where the fog can make things feel a bit gloomy.
The floor plates are large. They are built for open-office plans. You know the ones—no cubicles, just endless rows of desks and "breakout areas" with expensive espresso machines. It’s a layout that encourages collaboration, or at least that’s the theory. In reality, it probably encouraged a lot of people to wear noise-canceling headphones.
The Transbay Transformation
You can't talk about 500 Howard Street San Francisco CA without talking about the neighborhood transformation. SoMa (South of Market) used to be warehouses and printing shops. Now? It’s the most expensive dirt in the city.
The building is literally across the street from the Salesforce Park. That’s the elevated, four-block-long "floating" park. If you work at 500 Howard, your "lunch break" involves walking across a bridge to a rooftop garden with botanical displays and a jogging track. It's a perk that very few office buildings in the world can match.
But there’s a flip side.
The vacancy rates in San Francisco have been a massive topic of conversation lately. You’ve seen the headlines. The "doom loop" narrative has hit SoMa hard. However, buildings like 500 Howard—often referred to as "trophy" buildings—tend to hold their value better than the older, grittier stock. High-end companies still want a prestigious address. They want the LEED Gold certification that buildings like this offer.
Who Actually Owns and Manages It?
Ownership of these buildings often feels like a game of musical chairs between massive institutional investors. For a long time, the building was a key asset for firms like Heitman and later Hines. These are the guys who manage billions in real estate.
When Slack was acquired by Salesforce (bringing the story full circle), the occupancy dynamics shifted again. Salesforce began consolidating its footprint. This created opportunities for other players to move in. It’s basically a microcosm of the entire SF real estate market: a constant churn of high-stakes leases and massive tenant improvements.
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Realities of the Current Market
Is it fully leased? Not always. The post-pandemic world changed everything. Hybrid work is the new standard. Companies that once needed 10 floors at 500 Howard might now only need five. We are seeing a lot of sublease activity in this corridor.
- Proximity to Transit: This is the building's biggest asset.
- Amenities: It’s surrounded by some of the best food in the city (though your wallet will feel it).
- Infrastructure: The fiber connectivity and power redundancy are top-tier—essential for tech.
What People Get Wrong About This Location
A lot of people think that because it’s in SoMa, it’s in the "rough" part of town. Honestly, that’s a bit of an oversimplification. This specific block near 1st Street is incredibly polished. It’s the "New Downtown." It feels more like Midtown Manhattan than the gritty SF you see on the news.
Another misconception is that it’s just a "Salesforce building." While Salesforce has a massive presence, 500 Howard has its own identity. It’s a multi-tenant facility. It houses law firms, financial services, and smaller tech startups that want to look bigger than they are.
Actionable Insights for Navigating 500 Howard
If you’re a business owner looking at space here, or a professional heading there for an interview, keep these things in mind.
First, don't bother driving. Parking in this area is a nightmare and will cost you a fortune. Use the Transbay Center or BART (Montgomery Street Station is a short walk). If you have to drive, be prepared to pay $40+ for a day of parking in a nearby garage.
Second, if you're visiting a tenant, budget extra time for security. Like most high-rise offices in SF, they don't just let you wander the elevators. You’ll need a QR code or a check-in at the desk.
Third, check out the Salesforce Park immediately after your meeting. It's the best way to decompress. Enter via the gondola at the corner of Mission and Fremont if you want the full experience.
Finally, keep an eye on the retail spaces on the ground floor. They’ve historically hosted some great coffee spots and quick-service eats, though the lineup changes as the city’s economy fluctuates.
500 Howard Street San Francisco CA remains a bellwether for the city’s economic health. When this building is buzzing, the city is buzzing. It stands as a testament to the era of "Cloud City," and its future will likely dictate what the next version of San Francisco looks like.
For those looking to lease or invest, the focus should be on the building's adaptability. The shift toward "flight to quality" means 500 Howard is better positioned than almost any other mid-rise in the district. It’s about the infrastructure, the light, and the proximity to the city's newest infrastructure.
To truly understand the value of this property, you have to look past the "For Lease" signs and see the connectivity it offers. It remains a core piece of the San Francisco skyline, even if it doesn't have a literal crown on top.