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Sustainable Preservation: California’s Statewide Historic Preservation Plan, 2013-2017

Preservation Success Story—Presidio Public Health Service Hospital

The Public Health Service Hospital District in
San Francisco’s Presidio started as a Marine
Corps hospital built by the U.S. Treasury to
care for sailors. It was moved to the southern
edge of the Presidio in 1895 and in 1912
became part of the Public Health Service,
caring for immigrants, American Indians, and
patients suffering from infectious diseases. A
36-acre Colonial-revival campus replaced the
original buildings in 1932. Designed by
Treasury Architect James Wetmore, it included
Overview of Presidio Public Health a 6-story hospital, nurses’ quarters, surgeons’
Hospital District homes,
labs, a
power plant, and a community center. Abruptly
closed in 1981, the site was reincorporated into
the Presidio, but sat vacant, deteriorating, and
vandalized for 25 years.

In 1994 the Presidio became part of the National
Park System, and in 1996 Congress established
the Presidio Trust to preserve the Presidio’s
interior 1,100 acres. The Trust’s mandate
includes reuse of the Presidio’s 6 million square
feet of buildings to generate revenue to sustain
the park. Revitalizing the district took creativity,
perseverance, community support, and The 1932 six-story main hospital
building
substantial public and private investment. The
result is a sustainable mixed-use community with 172 housing units, office space, a pre-
school, a printing press, trails, and 25 acres of open and native habitat.
The ‘50s era modern wings were removed to
restore the original appearance of the hospital.
Original windows were retained, repaired, and
weather-stripped. Three new floors were added
to the service wing at the rear of the building,
connected with a glass corridor to the main
hospital to differentiate the new construction
from the existing. Public hallway locations and
materials were preserved. Exterior brick,
limestone, terra cotta, and wood infill were
restored and cleaned. A new seismic structure
Interpretation was an important
component of the project. was fitted into the existing structure to meet
current earthquake code.
Sustainability features were integrated into the design to qualify for LEED Gold
certification. Features included proximity to services, walkability, low-maintenance
landscaping, energy efficiency through envelope insulation, and efficient mechanical,
lighting fixture, and appliance equipment. These same features contributed to a LEED
ND (neighborhood development) certification for the district.

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