Having lost its lease as a result of the rent squeeze a healthy San Francisco economy has created, the Homeless Advocacy Project (HAP) moved February 1, 2015, into its new home at 125 Hyde Street. This Tenderloin location puts the project close to people who need legal services, adjacent to supporting social services, and is walking distance to the court, as well as BART and Muni.

The History of 125 Hyde

Built in 1931 by architect Andrew H. Knoll, the LEED certified, two-story building has an Art Deco façade, favored by old Hollywood, and was a film exchange in its glory days. The fireproof, reinforced concrete structure was specifically designed for storing film. The HAP renovation discovered film canisters and vaults, whose massive doors are now painted orange. The words “Motion Picture Studio and Laboratory” will remain on the front of the building and a mural will continue to grace the wall in a new conference room.

HAP’s Expanded Space

HAP’s new location more than doubles its official square footage, with the first floor being used for client intake, legal and social services and the second floor housing offices and meeting space.

According to Teresa Friend, Director/Managing Attorney of HAP, “We are excited to join the Tenderloin community, where we had already been serving clients for many years. We hope that our presence can improve the lives of some Tenderloin residents.”

A community open house is scheduled for June and an in-depth article and photo gallery documenting the move will appear in the June issue of San Francisco Attorney magazine.

To learn more about HAP, visit www.sfbar.org/hap.