Geneva Office Building's Facade To Feature Art Displays

The nonprofit arts organization that leases the city-owned Geneva Powerhouse is fundraising to install art displays inside the powerhouse building and on the Geneva Office Building's facade.

Performing Arts Workshop lauunched a fundraising campaign called Power On! Arts Immersion at the Geneva Powerhouse last week pay for the installation of the art showcase panels. The orgenization's vision is to create a space where "creativity knows no boundaries and communities come together to celebrate art in all forms," according to an announcement.

"We envision a building adorned with the vibrant creations of our young people — where their writing, sculptures, photography, and artwork will inspire all who enter our neighborhood," Madeline Easley, the nonprofit's development director, said in a fundraising appeal.

"Historically, BIPOC artists and communities have not always had access to the resources of a well-equipped creation space or one so architecturally striking," she also wrote.

Architectural rendering of a historic building used for an event. — A rendering shows people gathered at the Geneva Powerhouse for an arts event. | Courtesy Performing Arts Workshop

The office and powerhouse buildings — known together by old-timers as the "Carbarn" — were built in 1901 and 1904, respectively, by the San Francisco & San Mateo Electric Railway. The original carbarn — storage space for streetcars — was torn down decades ago but the San Francsico Municipal Transportation Agency does still maintain streetcar storage yard on the same site behind the buildings.

City Hall acquired the facility for its roll up of private transportation companies to create the people's railway — Muni. It was red-tagged in the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake. Neighbors and preservationists have been advocating for its total rehabilitation ever since.

The restoration of the powerhouse was completed in 2020. Plans for restoring the office building have stalled.

The Friends of the Geneva Office Building and Powerhouse currently have a banner installed on the building complex's Queene Anne-style turret. The volunteer group is sponsoring a book project about the building's history.