Rincon Center

A Ghost of Its Former SelfBefore the pandemic, Rincon Center (Annex) was a bustling place, particularly during lunchtime on weekdays. Working nearby, I used to visit for lunch and had many options to choose from. Just before the pandemic, they started remodeling, and a few vendors left. When the pandemic struck, the place went dark. Now, the only food option available inside is Yank Sing. Additionally, many business offices are closed and sit empty.For those of us who remember the bustling days, it is very disheartening to walk through that beautiful space and see it empty. The other day, I was there and realized I had never written about it, so here it is!The Rincon Annex is a historic landmark in San Francisco. It was initially built as a post office during the Great Depression as part of President Roosevelt's New Deal. The building reflects the Streamline Moderne architectural style and was designed by Gilbert Stanley Underwood. Completed in 1940, it quickly became an important mail processing and distribution center.The interior of the Rincon Annex was particularly noteworthy. Renowned artist Anton Refregier adorned the lobby with stunning murals depicting California's history, from its early indigenous cultures to the labor struggles of the 20th century. While these murals were celebrated for their artistic merit, they also sparked controversy due to their unreserved portrayal of social issues.Changes in postal operations led to the decline of the Rincon Annex as a mail processing facility. By the late 1970s, there were plans to demolish the building. However, a dedicated community effort to preserve its historical significance resulted in its listing on the National Register of Historic Places.In the 1980s, the Rincon Annex underwent a significant transformation. It became part of the Rincon Center, a mixed-use development incorporating offices, retail, and residential spaces. The original post office building was meticulously restored, and its lobby, with Refregier's murals, remains a popular public space. Today, the Rincon Annex is a testament to the area's rich history, seamlessly integrating its past with its present as a part of San Francisco's urban landscape.

What happened to the food court? The waterfall and all the light was so beautiful and peaceful. It was a great place to get lunch. Now it looks sterile and lifeless.

We went to the Rincon Center in the Embarcadero area of San Francisco There is a post office area. In this area are nice murals.There is a food court area open during day time hours. It services the locals such as the workers at Google San Francisco. There is seating also outside in the pretty courtyard area.

This rating is first off based on their parking lot. I had a * * and a * * * * experience here on consecutive days visiting.My 2 Star experience came with the valet where they handed us keys and told us to get our own car, only to find out they told us they parked our car down the ramp of a lower floor, then we realized they also handed us someone else's keys. When we returned to have the situation corrected, they weren't really apologetic and seemed disorganized, and ultimately didn't have the keys in the intended location where they kept keys, so had to go around and look for the car, for which they keys were probably still in (leaving the car available for possible theft, as it was never secured). They found the car and we got to go on our way. We still had to pay $4 to park there for less than 2 hrs with our validation (Yank Sing is $4 for 2 hrs, and without validation it's $6 for every 30 mins I think). Overall, a fairly chaotic and disorganized system.My 4 Star experience came shortly thereafter the same week, but on a weekend where they have no valet (whew! thank goodness). The lot became full quickly, but the parking attendant was organized enough to let us wait and then have us proceed rather than turn us away, so that earns them actually 5 Stars, but when we got inside, we realized all of the spaces are pretty tight and hard to maneuver in and out of, which gives the structure itself 2 Stars as a parking location.Inside the Rincon Center are businesses and lots of restaurants, all of which gets between * * * and * * * * on the diversity of the selection.I like the Rincon Center generally. It's just located in a difficult and congested part of town.

I used to work near the Rincon and I would go there from time to time to check out the merchandise at the dearly departed Paper Whirl. I'd also secretly read the magazines at the candy/magazine shop.The main attraction is the water fall. Such a nice thing to have in the middle of an office building.Oh yeah, the CA Franchise Tax Board is in one of the office wings. You can go there to dump off your CA taxes there at the last minute.

Can you visualize a free flowing waterfall in the middle of the building falling from the ceiling to the ground? Come here to check it out. They even have piano performance while you eat your lunch. There are multiple restaurants, mostly takeout, around the waterfall. While most of the places are mediocre at best, I find myself going there time to time just because it's convenient especially if you don't know what you want to eat. I walk around the waterfall and eventually, smell of the food would help me make the final decision. Most places will run you $6-9 depending on what you get. While no one restaurant is great, sum of the parts makes Rincon a dependable place for lunch. Below is my ranking:1. Yang Sing 2 Gohttp://www.yelp.com/biz/w7xFWN3OtE7B8d2XIxrBDw2. Sorabol Korean Restauranthttp://www.yelp.com/biz/XIHnRWD4YSsG5OlmUpRpdw3. Thai-To-Gohttp://www.yelp.com/biz/Mr9_XlDC9GP0LnJJ0nelug4. Arabihttp://www.yelp.com/biz/5t4jbcXNAm6KHuuTtZcjwA

Absolutely gorgeous especially the water fountain that falls from the ceiling to the floor. Was brought here by my one and only older sister after I picked her up from work. We had Thai food located right inside I believe I had a. Chicken Pad Thai it wasn't bad. Then I went to get me a sweet treat to share with my sister at the Yocup located right inside as well.If you are stressed out from work this is a nice place to escape to. Serene environment, sometimes they even have a mini farmers market inside as well. Just remember I think they kinda close too early at times.

Great space, but overpriced, and impossible to rate at the moment as they're undergoing renovations.

The common area is beautifully furnished and decorated and you would expect the same from the bathroom; but no.I am going to keep this short. The lighting was dim which is what I enjoy from a classy bathroom but it ended up feeling nothing more than one of those utility closet safe rooms you somehow save your file in a resident evil game.

There's a lot here in this center along with office floors above. A beautiful waterfall from the ceiling to the center of the building makes this spot a peaceful sounding spot to lunch. I work on one of the floors above, and am able to have a variety of options for lunch, some even at a good price for the financial district. I also get to have my workout here at The Dailey Method right outside the doors leading to the center of the block. Lots of outdoor events happen in the courtyard too. I also enjoy the spacious location with lots of seating for people to enjoy.