A state-of-the-art athletic facility is taking shape in San Francisco's Laurel Heights neighborhood, but the $50 million project comes with a bittersweet tradeoff for the local community. The Schools of the Sacred Heart have unveiled detailed renderings for their ambitious four-story sports complex at 2835 Geary Boulevard, a development that will provide much-needed athletic spaces for students but also spell the end for the city's oldest pool hall.
The 63-foot-tall structure will span approximately 65,370 square feet and feature an impressive array of athletic amenities designed to serve the K-12 students of Convent & Stuart Hall. According to SF YIMBY, the facility will include a basement-level lap pool with bleachers, a second-floor gymnasium with a full basketball court, and a rooftop soccer field enclosed by chain-link fencing.
Source: TEF Design
TEF Design, the San Francisco-based architecture firm behind the project, has wrapped the complex in modern curtain-wall glass complemented by vertically formed metal panels. The design incorporates an innovative open ceiling cutout between the basement pool and ground floor, allowing visitors in the lobby to view swimming activities below.
Source: Google Street View
Community Impact and Local Reactions
The development requires demolishing Family Billiards, the 60-year-old pool hall that has operated at the site since 1965. Pool hall owner Delbert Wong expressed uncertainty about relocating when news of the closure emerged last December, telling The San Francisco Standard that reopening elsewhere would require significant financial investment.
The loss has struck a nerve with longtime patrons who view the establishment as more than just a recreational venue. Cameron Combs, a regular who visits daily, had an emotional reaction to the news, while real estate agent Bert Benisch, who has frequented the hall for two decades, warned it would leave "a big hole in the San Francisco scene and the pool community."
The property sale, completed in July 2024 through Touchstone Commercial Partners for $13.5 million, positions the school to begin construction within two years. As reported by SF YIMBY, the proposal has entered the city's planning department review process, with questions about rezoning to accommodate the building's height.
Addressing Athletic Facility Gaps
Convent & Stuart Hall currently operates athletic programs across multiple off-site locations throughout San Francisco, including the Lisa & Douglas Goldman Tennis Center in Golden Gate Park and Kezar Stadium for football games. According to the school's website, students currently use two on-campus gyms, but the new facility would significantly expand their athletic capabilities.
The third floor will house a performance studio and meditation space, while parking for 17 cars and 20 bicycles addresses transportation needs. The building's location along the busy Geary Boulevard corridor, near the University of San Francisco's Lone Mountain campus, places it within a cluster of educational institutions.
Private School Development Trends
The Sacred Heart project represents part of a broader trend of private school expansions in San Francisco. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that several elite institutions have pursued major construction projects, including University High School's 46,300-square-foot building in Presidio Heights and French American International School's ambitious 36-story mixed-use development in Hayes Valley.
These expansions reflect both the competitive landscape of Bay Area private education and the challenges of providing comprehensive athletic facilities within San Francisco's dense urban environment. The Schools of the Sacred Heart, comprising Convent of the Sacred Heart High School (founded 1887) and Stuart Hall High School (founded 2000), serves as part of a global network of Sacred Heart schools spanning 41 countries.
Neighborhood Context
Laurel Heights, which hasn't seen significant new residential development in 50 years according to recent Chronicle reporting, faces this institutional expansion as the neighborhood continues to evolve. The area's proximity to medical facilities like UCSF Laurel Heights Campus and California Pacific Medical Center reinforces its institutional character.
Meanwhile, the displacement of Family Billiards adds to concerns about San Francisco's shrinking pool hall scene. With the recent opening of The Hall Bar & Billiards at 2565 Mission Street attempting to fill the void with an upscale approach, as noted by SFist, the city's traditional billiards culture continues its transformation.
Construction on the Sacred Heart athletics facility is expected to begin within the next two years, though specific timelines remain unconfirmed as the project navigates city approvals. The $50 million construction budget, which doesn't include all development costs, reflects the substantial investment required for educational infrastructure in one of the nation's most expensive real estate markets.
