Compared with other neighborhoods in San Francisco, Hayes Valley has fairly few vacant commercial spaces—yet there are several hot spots that have stood empty for a while. Many of them are new developments with expansive ground-floor commercial spaces, which have yet to officially debut new restaurants and retailers. 

We took a walk around the neighborhood last week, and this is what we found: 

520 Hayes St.

Formerly known as: Place Pigalle
Status: Vacant, no listing

The gold exterior of what was once Place Pigalle has been gathering dust since the bar closed in July of last year. No "for lease" signs have been spotted in the windows, nor have building permits been filed for space.

Rumor has it the spot is in dire need of an earthquake retrofit, but the expense is causing issues. We reached out to Hayes Valley Properties (the owners of the space), but didn't get a response. 

482 Hayes St.

Formerly known as: Flippers
Status: Leased, construction imminent

The owners of Brass Tacks bought neighboring burger joint Flippers in December of last year, but since it shuttered in January, Flippers' space has sat empty. Management has been keeping mum about its plans, but a Planning Department sign posted in the window states that a change of use is being proposed, to turn the space into a bar instead of a restaurant. We may have an update on this next week, so stay tuned.

450 Hayes St.

Formerly known as: New construction
Status: Leased

The ground floor of the soon-to-be-completed building at 450 Hayes has already been leased to a restaurateur whose work readers may recognize: Adriano Paganini, who also owns Super Duper Burger, Beretta, Delarosa, Uno Dos Tacos, and Belga. There's no word yet on what type of food his latest venture will serve, or when it will be open.

542 Laguna St.

Formerly known as: New construction
Status: Vacant, for lease

This small, brand-new spot on Laguna has only been on the market for three weeks, but the inquiries are rolling in. Measuring only 190 square feet, it's zoned for commercial use, with an asking price of $2,700 a month (utilities included).

Realtor Joe Theisen says he thinks a high-value retail operation—such as hats, eyewear or perfume—would do well in the space. We'll let you know what moves in.

500 Laguna St.

Formerly known as: Nosa Ria
Status: Vacant, for lease

Another long-standing empty storefront sits at the corner of Fell and Laguna. Despite its big windows and prime location, 500 Laguna has been empty since Spanish food shop Nosa Ria vacated the space in December 2014.

The 500-square-foot ground floor space has a full basement, and is listed at $47.68 a square foot. It's currently zoned for commercial use, but the realtor suggests a zoning change to a take-away food spot. 

325 Octavia St.

Formerly known as: New construction
Status: Leased, construction in progress

330 Gough St.

Formerly known as: Stelline and Las Estrellas
Status: Leased, construction in progress

Despite its rough exterior, the two-restaurant space at the corner of Gough Street and Linden Alley should become a single new restaurant in the next few weeks. Chef Kim Alter is opening up Nightbird in the space, and confirmed with us by email that she's hoping to open by the end of June. 

388 Fulton St.

Formerly known as: Nothing, new construction
Status: Leased, construction in progress

388 Fulton is selling its units fast, and the two ground-floor commercial spots have already been nabbed. Marin-based doughnut shop Johnny Doughnuts announced it would be taking over one spot last week, but the lessee of the second remains a mystery. 

101 Oak St.

Formerly known as: Mandarin Villa
Status: Vacant, no listing

Questionably good Chinese restaurant Mandarin Villa abruptly shuttered its doors in June of last year, and since then, its former space has been a magnet for graffiti, sleeping homeless people and trash blowing by. No for-lease sign has been posted, no listing is online anywhere, and we haven't been able to get in touch with the building's owner. So for now, this corner spot remains a mystery. 

Got intel on the future of one of our mystery buildings? Any other vacant buildings in the neighborhood you're curious about? Let us know in the comments, or send us a tip.