Latest Federal DOGE Cuts Planning to Sell the Nancy Pelosi Federal Building in San Francisco

According to the Department of Government Efficiency, they plan to get rid of two federal buildings in San Francisco: the Nancy Pelosi Federal Building and another located at 50 United Nations Plaza.

While the 50 United Nations Plaza Building has gone through a fairly standard history dating back to the 1930’s when it was built, with the building currently housing the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) headquarters for the Pacific Rim region, the Nancy Pelosi Federal Building has experienced a more contentious history. Originally built in 2007 as the San Francisco Federal Building, its design polarized San Franciscans. While some called the glass building “bold and innovative,” those in the building hated it. The building overheats thanks to the all glass design, making employees too hot. Employees actually bring in umbrellas to keep out the sun. Meanwhile, many complained of the elevators, most of which didn’t stop at every floor to encourage exercise.

The building became known as one of the most infamous federal buildings in the nation as a result. When the first Trump Administration began in 2017, they too denounced the San Francisco federal building, saying in an executive order that it was an unsatisfactory design.

“GSA selected an architect to design the San Francisco Federal Building who describes his designs as ‘art-for-art’s-sake’ architecture, intended primarily for architects to appreciate,” said the order. “While elite architects praised the resulting building, many San Franciscans consider it one of the ugliest structures in their city.”

During Joe Biden’s tenure as President, the order was revoked, but it soon faced a new problem: crime. In 2023, crime around the Federal Building grew so bad that hundreds of employees were ordered to work from home. Despite this, the building was renamed for former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi in December 2024. However, the executive order was once again shifted to being active last month when Trump was back in as President.

This led to new DOGE plans, which revealed that the federal government is now stepping up to sell both 50 United Nations Plaza and the Pelosi Federal Building. While Pelosi was a major Trump rival during his first term in office as Speaker, the Trump Administration has denied that the sale is politically motivated and is simply a cost-cutting measure in line with current policy.

Selling off the Pelosi Federal Building

“GSA is prioritizing the reduction of deferred liability costs across our real estate portfolio, including the potential sale of buildings in need of extensive repair. Any suggestion that our planning is driven by politics is absurd,” the GSA said in a statement on Monday. “GSA is taking a data driven approach and reviewing all options to optimize our national footprint and building utilization. GSA is actively working with our tenant agencies to assess their space needs, and we’ll share more information on specific savings and facilities as soon as we’re able. Acting Administrator Stephen Ehikian’s vision for GSA includes reducing our deferred maintenance liabilities, supporting the return to office of federal employees, and taking advantage of a stronger private/government partnership in managing the workforce of the future.”

According to current GSA plans, they have been directed to sell off more than 500 federally owned government buildings across the country. More specifically, the President has also directed the agency to reduce the U.S. Government’s owned real estate footprint by 50%, and the number of buildings by 70%.

The potential sale has still nonetheless irked many in the city. With thousands of federal employees now not coming to the area with the sale, area businesses fear even more declining revenue. A huge amount of office space suddenly available could further shake up the San Francisco office space supply. In the 4th Quarter 2024, San Francisco finally began to see a turnaround in the 34% office vacancy rate in San Francisco. Two large buildings suddenly on the market could affect 2025 totals as a result.

“San Francisco is still struggling,” said building occupancy researcher Michelle Duggan to the Globe on Monday. “They improved finally in their vacancy rate, but only after a year where more companies pulled out of San Francisco, including X and their headquarters.

“This federal building has several issues and is very ugly. It is going to be a very hard sell. The other federal building, that is in one from the 1930’s. People love the classic ones. But this federal building? That’s a lot of office space in a building that will have a hard time filling it. And, on the political level, it is going to be renamed again most likely, so there goes some legacy for Pelosi. I don’t buy this sale being revenge for Trump or Musk. It’s just a bad building that was easily listed as a non-essential asset.

“This building will be a hard sell.”