Projects

650 Townsend Street is one of San Francisco's most recognizable SOMA addresses, a six-story concrete and steel office building with 672,000 square feet, eight elevators, and both underground and rooftop parking. Channel Lumber has been a trusted supplier of commercial lumber and building materials across multiple phases of the building's development, remodels, and upgrades since its original construction in 1990. This project is a strong example of the kind of long-term, multi-phase work our team supports across the Bay Area.

A SOMA Landmark

When gaming giant Zynga purchased 650 Townsend in 2012 for $228 million, the building became one of the most high-profile commercial real estate acquisitions of San Francisco's tech boom. The property's location in the heart of SOMA made it an ideal headquarters, and Zynga's investment in upgrading the space reflected both the building's potential and the neighborhood's momentum. Channel Lumber's products and services supported the buildout and renovation work that helped transform the property into a world-class tech campus. Beyond Zynga, the building hosts three additional tenants, each with distinct operational needs that have shaped the building's evolution over the years.

Building for Efficiency

As the building's occupancy grew more complex, its aging HVAC infrastructure struggled to keep pace. The outdated system generated significant maintenance costs and energy bills that did not match the ambitions of a modern, multi-tenant commercial property. Property managers brought in an energy infrastructure specialist who overhauled the system entirely, delivering annual savings of $300,000. Channel Lumber's role in the broader renovation work included supplying concrete form products and structural materials that supported the construction work running alongside the systems upgrade. Our ability to supply clean, unweathered product on a reliable schedule keeps complex, occupied renovation projects on track.

Projects like 650 Townsend reflect the kind of work Channel Lumber has built its reputation on over more than fifty years in the Bay Area commercial construction market. Multi-phase, multi-tenant, high-profile buildings require a supplier who understands the pace and precision of commercial work. We stock one of the largest lumber inventories in California, store all product rough until delivery, and provide project management consultation services that help contractors and architects stay ahead of material decisions from pre-construction through completion.

Green Building and Long-Term Value

Energy efficiency and sustainable construction are increasingly central to how Bay Area buildings are designed, upgraded, and valued. Channel Lumber supports contractors and developers working toward LEED certification and green building goals with FSC-certified lumber, sustainable building materials, and value engineering expertise that helps projects achieve their environmental targets without sacrificing budget or schedule. The transformation of 650 Townsend is a reminder that the most enduring buildings are the ones that keep improving, and the right material supplier makes that possible at every stage.

To learn more about Channel Lumber's commercial projects and services, contact us. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of commercial projects does Channel Lumber support?

Channel Lumber supplies lumber, plywood, concrete form, building materials, and custom millwork for commercial construction, renovation, and multi-phase development projects throughout the Bay Area.

Does Channel Lumber offer project consultation services?

Yes. Our architects and project management consultation team provides value engineering support, material recommendations, and documentation assistance from pre-construction through delivery.

Can Channel Lumber supply FSC-certified and green building materials?

Absolutely. We stock FSC-certified lumber and products that support LEED certification and sustainable construction goals.