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DOWNTOWN SF
City Blocks Urban Furniture: Tactical Urbanism at Robert Frost Plaza
Client
Downtown SF Partnership
Year
2025
Contributors
City Blocks Urban Furniture, Studio Meanwhile, Downtown SF Partnership
Location, City of San Francisco
Downtown Gateway, Robert Frost Plaza
San Francisco’s cable cars are iconic, but their stations don’t always match the city’s energy. Robert Frost Plaza, at the foot of California Street, is getting a tactical urbanism makeover to create a more engaging, people-centered public space.
City Blocks is proud to contribute with our Pocket Blocks modular seating, offering flexible, scalable solutions to transform this transit hub into a vibrant gathering spot.
The redesigned plaza will also feature interpretive signage about the cable car system, an ‘I Left My Heart in SF’ sculpture for an iconic photo moment.
These modular units allow for quick reconfiguration, accommodating both intimate gatherings and larger crowds. By integrating versatile, movable seating, City Blocks supports a design that prioritizes social interaction, comfort, and accessibility.
With City Blocks’ modular Pocket Blocks seating at the core of the design, this project sets a new standard for flexible, engaging public space. Designed for urban adaptability, these elements can evolve with the plaza’s needs—whether serving as a commuter stop, a tourist rest area, or a community gathering spot.
This project shows how small interventions can have a BIG impact. With Downtown SF leading the way, Robert Frost Plaza will celebrate San Francisco’s cable cars while demonstrating the power of smart, people-focused design.