Gap Inc. is turning part of its San Francisco headquarters at 2 Folsom Street into a working stage for local musicians and visual artists, launching a new residency and live music series called The House. The program, which features quarterly performances by local musicians alongside rotating artist residencies and installations, is one of three new initiatives the company says will deepen its investment in the Bay Area arts scene.
The announcement, first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, comes as Gap Inc. expands its existing partnership with the craft-economy nonprofit Nest. Gap Inc. and Nest are bringing what they call the Makers Future Fund to 30 Bay Area craft-based business owners, a six-month program that pairs weekly classes and personal coaching with a $2,500 grant and a mix of virtual and in-person events. The company also plans to commission new work from local makers and host workshops with them at its headquarters.
A Third Initiative Aims for the Waterfront
Gap Inc. is also working with the Institute of Contemporary Art San Francisco and the Port of San Francisco to bring a large-scale contemporary art installation to Pier 24, featuring a renowned Bay Area artist. Pier 24 Photography was scheduled to permanently close when its lease ended in July 2025, according to SFGATE. ICA SF announced in October 2025 that it would leave its downtown venue at 345 Montgomery Street in early 2026 to adopt what it calls a nomadic model. Hoodline previously reported on ICA SF's move downtown in 2024, before this latest shift toward a roving exhibition strategy.
Zac Posen, who serves as executive vice president and creative director of Gap Inc. and chief creative officer of Old Navy, framed the initiatives as part of the company's broader civic mission. “Supporting the people and places shaping its next chapter means investing in that creative spirit, bringing new energy to our neighborhoods, creating opportunity, and helping this incredible city continue to evolve,” Posen said. Gap Inc. is the parent company of Old Navy, Banana Republic and Athleta.
Consolidating a Headquarters, Then Opening It Up
The arts push follows a period of real estate consolidation for Gap Inc. in San Francisco. The company sold its Athleta headquarters building at 1 Harrison Street for $80 million, after selling its Old Navy headquarters for $356 million the year before, and planned to eventually consolidate its San Francisco-based teams at 2 Folsom Street, according to Connect CRE.
Gap Inc. had already begun reshaping its headquarters for public-facing use well before the arts announcement. In 2022, the company applied to San Francisco's Planning Department to convert nearly 18,000 square feet of ground-floor office space at the 545,000-square-foot building into retail stores for Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic and Athleta, according to The Real Deal. Gap Inc. has also scheduled a holiday makers market with Nest at 2 Folsom Street.
Gap Inc. Leadership
Zac Posen serves as executive vice president and creative director of Gap Inc.
Mame Annan-Brown, chief communications officer of Gap Inc. and chair and president of the Gap Foundation, tied the new programs to the company's civic identity. “Artists, makers and cultural institutions help drive economic vitality, attract talent, build community and bring cities to life,” Annan-Brown said. The company points back to its own origins for the throughline: Gap opened its first store in San Francisco in 1969, when co-founders Don and Doris Fisher launched a jeans and record store on Ocean Avenue, according to the Western Neighborhoods Project.
Gap Inc.'s culture-forward strategy extends beyond San Francisco, too. The company has launched a fashiontainment platform with the American boy band Just Your Type, a multi-year partnership that includes a national mall tour, a Gap capsule collection co-designed with the band's members, and a docuseries chronicling the group's rise to fame.
The Gap Inc. x Nest Holiday Makers Market is scheduled for Dec. 4-5, offering another opportunity to celebrate local makers.
