685 Market Street

PLI Rentals

2007-05-10T10:49:00.000-07:00

Dear Tenants,

For all our newcomers and those of you who may have not heard of our tenant PLI's conference center, we are happy to announce that their state of the art facility is available for rental. See the flyer below for information, or contact them at 415-498-2800.

Animal Magnetism and Spring Cleaning

2007-03-29T14:27:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the jungle.

This next quarterly art show brings the spring and vigor of the animal kingdom to our building.

Artwork SF has put together a variety of artists, tied together with the theme of "Animal Magnetism", to bring some much needed levity to the halls of the building.

A reception will be held on April 11th at 5:30PM on the 3rd Floor.

In response to tenant feedback, and in our own little tribute to reducing the clutter during spring cleaning, we've cut back on the number of pieces on each floor. We hope you enjoy the sparser layout!

The courtyard got a makeover today as well, so stop by to enjoy the scenery and grab some rays in our wind-sheltered plaza.

U Can't Touch This

2007-02-16T13:03:00.000-08:00

Remember those days when the auto-flush toilet came into vogue? Even Beevis and Butthead found them fascinating.

Fast-forward to 2007, and you can barely find a modern bathroom that doesn't have those auto-flushers on their johns and janes. And for a good reason: they help with water conservation, cleanliness of the facilities, and promote sanitation by keeping your hands out of contact with their germ-carrying surfaces.

So in the spirit of trying to stay ahead of, or at least keep pace with these trends, we are introducing the latest component of our slowly materializing Touch-Free Restroom Experience for your comfort and convenience.

These new dispensers really put the old pump-action units we have to shame with their form and functionality. In terms of the technology and value-added engineering that's gone into them, they bear the same relationship to the dispensers they're replacing as a mid-20th century bi-plane does to a Lear Jet.

Each Auto-Soaper is a motion sensor activated, self-contained, battery powered unit, capable of measured dose delivery and fitted with a red-LED reminiscent of HAL from a Space Odyssey 2001 that indicates when it needs more soap or fresh batteries. They also come equipped with disposable soap packets which prevent old soap from collecting and rotting in their reservoir.

They're are also incredibly cool looking, in our humble but fantastically informed opinions.

So with all that said, we do hope you enjoy using them, and that they instill a sense of excitement in you with the heralding of the TFRE that they represent!

Pre-Valentine's Party

2007-02-14T15:21:00.001-08:00

Chocolate Fountains, Fresh Fruit, and Cheese Hor doeuvres were served up sweet and fresh at our first Pre-Valentine's Day Party and Poetry Contest this past Tuesday, February 13th.

We were thrilled to see so many people out and enjoying themselves in our building courtyard and even happier that so many were able to attend the poetry contest as well!

It was a very difficult contest to pick the runners up for, and we received many last minute entries, but in the end we narrowed to down to two contestants each in the Most Romantic and Most Creative categories, and one in the Best Overall.

Hatsumi Takahashi of JTB took home the grand prize for Best Overall poem and won a $200 gift certificate for flowers from Paul Robertson Floral.

Andrea Edwards from Topica won in the Most Creative category and took home a bottle of Piper Heisdeick Brut Champagne.

And Maggie Meredith-Ryan of Benefit Cosmetics scored a Godiva Valentine's Heart of chocolate and truffles for her win in the cateogry of Most Romantic.

The winning poems are featured below for your reading pleasure.

We'd also like to recognize the following people who won honorable mentions for their submissions and took home a small box of Godiva chocolates: Laura Garcia of Kato, Feder & Suzuki, Joe Rosado of Topica, and Mark Luhn of Jeffrey's Toys.

Thanks for helping to make our event a great success with your attendance and your entries to our contest! We hope that you enjoyed the food and your fellow tenant's poetry, and will consider entering yourself in our contest next year.
_______________________________________________
Do you remember when we met, the first time?
– by Hatsumi Takahashi of JTB International

Do you remember when we met, the first time?
Your pretty smile stole my heart and I fell in love with you.

We’ve been together for a long time,
We’ve laughed and cried and enjoyed our life.

Your pretty face has wrinkles, your body has changed,
But you are still beautiful to me.

Thank you darling, for what you’ve done for me.
Now, I am watching your face by the bed, but you don’t speak.

You are still my love and forever in my heart.
_______________________________________________
Love is a Space Heater
- by Andrea Edwards of Topica

Bitter cold, pouring rain.
I arrive at the Monadnock building, shivering in pain.

On the third floor, I arrive at my station
Thinking of my space heater, in anticipation!

You keep me warm, you keep me dry.
You help me as the days go by.

Whenever I need a solid friend,
It is on you I can depend.

It's 9AM, so let’s go.
Love is a space heater,

Feel the warm air blow!
_______________________________________________
Valentine’s Bliss
– by Maggie Meredith-Ryan of Benefit Cosmetics

Take a rest today from your everyday grind
But please do not sleep on our love that’s so hard to find

The reality of happiness between me and you
Makes each day on earth easier for me through and through

The moments we share of laughter and love fill me with emotions brand new
That sweep through my mind, reminiscent of sweet dreams come true

Innocence and Beauty instilled in your grin
Your lips as delicate as a rose petal in the wind

My wish for today: to be blessed with one kiss
That would send me off

Into Valentine’s Bliss

Art Openings for 1st Quarter 2007

2007-01-25T10:28:00.000-08:00

It's that most wonderful time of the New Year: when we sweep out the old art hanging in the hallways and put on something new.

This quarter, we thought we'd try something different: Art...with a sense of humor(?) From January to the end of March, on display in the elevator lobbies of floors 3, 4 and 5, you will find: Tongue in Cheek.

Whether or not the show is a laugh riot, or a yawn will be up to you to judge.

Please feel free to leave follow ups to this post telling us how you liked it!

Make A Wish Foundation

2006-12-06T11:25:00.000-08:00

The Monadnock Building is proud to partner with Colliers International to offer our tenants the opportunity to make donations to Make A Wish Foundation.

Donations collected at our building will sponsor the wish of Corrine, a very brave 12 year old girl, who is fighting cancer at the Oakland Children's Hospital.

Corrine knows first hand just how frightening a stay at the hospital can be, and wants to change that for her fellow patients.

Corrine's wish is for a shopping spree at the world famous FAO Schwarz in New York City. Corrine does not wish to shop for herself, but for the other sick children at the Children's Hospital.

Any donation amount is accepted.

To recognize donations, with the donor's consent, we will post a star in the lobby bearing the name of the donor and the amount of their contribution.

Furthermore, Make A Wish is commemorating donations of $20-$49 with a silver key-chain, and donations of $50 and higher with a Make A Wish 2006 ornament.

An information table (pictured above) is on display in the Lobby. Please visit the Building Office, suite 550, to participate in the program.

Tenant Appreciation Breakfast

2006-10-13T10:52:00.000-07:00

Our Fall tenant breakfast brought an early crowd to the courtyard this past Thursday morning ,where a bountiful spread of quiche, chicken apple sausage, bacon, croissants, fresh fruit, coffee, tea and orange juice was eagerly tucked into.

We were delighted to see so many new faces from our tenants that have recently chosen the Monadnock as their place of business. Our steadfast regulars from our longtime tenant base were also out in full support.

Please feel free to leave comments about the event or email us at the building office with any feedback!

SF Open Studios

2006-09-28T11:50:00.000-07:00

Friends, Tenants, Patrons of the Arts,

This upcoming weekend of October 7th & 8th, we invited you to attend the first year of the Monadnock Building's participation in the 31st Annual SF Open Studios.

During this month-long, free to the public event, you'll get plenty of opportunities to see what's going on in the San Francisco art scene as 900+ artists open their private working studios to showcase their art.

Come see what the San Francisco Chronicle calls one of the "101 Best Things To Do in the Bay Area".

A reception will be held on both days of the opening in our interior courtyard from 11:00am to 6:00pm.

For more information, visit http://web.mac.com/kellyannart/

Flu Clinic

2006-09-27T11:15:00.000-07:00

Dear Employers of the Tenants at 685 Market Street,

With the holidays just a turn of the seasons away, and the temperatures dropping on barometers and economic forecasts across the country, the time is ripe for that perennial thief of productivity: the 24-hour-flu.

Each year, this flu spreads in selective endemics among certain employees, defying all the laws of a normal outbreak. Certain highly susceptible cases (we won't name names here, you know who they are) may even fall prey to this virus multiple times! But dispair not, for there is hope.

Each year we offer a Flu Vaccine Clinic, which knocks out pesky excuses of "feverish sweats", "vomiting" and "coma".

In all seriousness, however, you can greatly reduce your chances of getting sick over the upcoming flu season by getting inocculated. The vaccines for this year are being offered at $25 through Test-Med, a company that coordinates vaccinations by local registered nurses for businesses in the financial district.

A clinic was held this past Tuesday, September 26, and another will be held in October, also on a Tuesday, in suite 620, from the hours of 12 noon -2pm for anyone who was unable to make the first appointment. The first hour of the clinic will be by appointment only, so if you'd like to sign up for a spot, please contact the building office. The second hour will be first-come, first serve. Thank you for your cooperation with this. For further information, please don't hesitate to contact the management office at 415-344-0004.

New Art by Griffin Davis

2006-07-05T16:56:00.000-07:00

Announcing: New Art at 685 Market Street's Monadnock Building.

For the next three months, we will be showcasing the photographic artwork of three rising stars in the bay area art-scene: Quing Wu, Ed Lim and Michael Crawford.

We are planning a gala-reception for the artists on August 3rd, which will take the place of the monthly "First Thursday" receptions we have held in the past.

For more information on the opening, the artists, and Griffin Davis, please visit: www.griffindavisart.com/monadnock.

Brain Freeze, Please!

2006-07-05T11:52:00.000-07:00

If our new property manager, Maryann, knows how to do one thing, it's throw a party! Witness: the ice cream social we had this past Thursday. Testify!

Pulling some inside strings, Maryann got Baskin Robbins to make an appearance with their mobile ice cream cart, which kept the strawberry, vanilla, cookies and cream, and jamocha almond fudge crisply cold. The toppings were spread out in a veritable smorgasboard of culinary confetti. We had everything from gummi bears to sprinkles, chocolate chips to maraschino cherries, to choose from and cans of whip cream to top them off.

We're happy that so many people were able to stop by! But if you missed out for some reason, don't feel sad! We're already planning our next event for this summer- coming to a building courtyard near you.

The Card Reader Cometh

2006-06-28T10:25:00.000-07:00

Some of you may have noticed that some changes have been happening downstairs on our main lobby doors. But for those of you whose faces have been buried in your newspaper or your latte while you sprint through the lobby to the elevators, let me fill you in on what's going on.

A Card Reader security system is being installed in the front door and hooked up to a single elevator, which will allow after-hours access to your floor. One swipe will get you in the building. Another swipe in the elevator will get you to the floor that your card gives you access to. After that, it's back to the good old-fashioned key to get into your suite. This system, once we implement it, will hinder people from coming in after-hours and wandering from floor to floor.

Along with this project, we've taken the liberty of upgrading a few non-compliant building features for ADA access. New braille has been installed in all of our passenger elevators. We are also retro-fitting the main lobby doors with new panic-hardware, which will allow fail-safe mechanical egress of the building's front doors in the event of an emergency.

Allowing for a few more kinks to be worked out of their implementation, we expect to have the ADA items finished and the Card Reader up and running by mid-July.

Stay tuned for an announcement about training for the Card-Reader access system called OneFacility, which we will announce before the system is put into operation.

Out with the Old, in with the New.

2006-06-14T11:24:00.000-07:00

No it's not New Years... that only comes once every year.

It's the end of an era. The era of Sonnenschein, Nath and Rosenthal's tenure at 685 Market Street.

As most of our tenants may have noticed, Sonnenschein, Nath and Rosenthal moved out last month over Memorial Day Weekend. They are now located "downtown" at 525 Market Street, in another Cushman & Wakefield managed building (see, it wasn't us! really!).

As much as we regret seeing them leave, we were very happy to welcome a new tenant to our building last month: JTB USA and JTB International. According to it's website "Since its establishment in 1964, JTB USA, Inc., a US subsidiary of JTB Corp., has grown from a travel information service bureau for Japanese travelers to the US to a full-service travel management company meeting the needs of all travelers.
Today, with access to a worldwide network of affiliates, JTB USA provides global travel management services for business and leisure travelers in the US markets. Travelers appreciate JTB USA's superior service capabilities in all areas of the world".

So if any of you have been itching to plan a trip to Japan, stop by suite 200 and meet your new neighbors!

Artist of the Month- Muffin Hyche

2006-01-05T13:18:00.000-08:00

This month we are pleased to feature Muffin Hyche, named Best Local Artist by San Francisco Magazine's Best of the Bay survey, at the Monadnock Building's monthly "First Thursday" Art Opening.

A reception will be held on the 3rd floor lobby at 685 Market Street to host Muffin. Her work will be showcased on the 5th floor. Stop by between 6PM and 8PM to meet this rising star in the San Francisco art scene!

Happy Holidays 2005

2005-12-27T10:15:00.000-08:00

A special thanks to everyone who turned out for our Holiday Party this past Thursday!

Although the weather outside was less than auspicious, we moved our reception into the lobby and had a great time mingling in its dry and cozy confines.

The food and wine were great, but the company really made the party one to remember.

Thanks for your support throughout the year, we wish you all the best in this holiday season and beyond!

2005 Toy Drive Gears Up!

2005-11-29T15:38:00.000-08:00

This year, we're working with the Building Owners and Managers Association (hereafter, BOMA) to help the San Francisco Firefighters Annual Toy Drive. We have two collection barrels in the lobby that we'd love to see stuffed with Toys by the time they're due for a pickup. We have until December 19th to the 23rd to make a small donation and a huge difference in the lives of some cute kids! So let's do it!

Also, Jeffrey's Toys is offering a discount to all tenants at the building who purchase toys to support the drive! Talk to a cashier for details!

Thanks for your support.

Art Opening this Thursday

2005-11-29T09:30:00.000-08:00

This year, treat yourself to an early Christmas Present!

On Thursday, our holiday decorations will be going up, and our final art opening for the artists currently on exhibit will be held from 6-8PM. Stay late, browse the art, enjoy the lobby decor and some light refreshments provided by John of Griffin Davis Art, and kick off the holiday season!

Also, for the month of December, Griffin Davis will offer special pricing on all their work! It's the perfect time to give the gift of art or get that painting you've had your eye on these past months. Proceeds of every sale go to benefit Art for Healing, so you can count that as a good deed, too!

For more information, visit www.griffindavisart.com or call John McNamara @ 415/ 902-7393.

Thanksgiving Breakfast

2005-11-22T11:18:00.000-08:00

Our Annual Tenant Appreciation Thanksgiving Breakfast was bigger and better than last year's, and we still ran out of food by 9:00.

Thankfully, this year's event was catered by our friends at O La La*. They kept the fresh coffee, pastries, orange juice, fruit and eggnogg coming long after we had gone through the first round.

We'd like to extend a special thanks their way for the extras they sent over "on the house".

Also, we thank our tenants for making the Monadnock Building their "home away from home". Without your hard work throughout the year, we couldn't be here to put on these great events.

So on behalf of the ownership, and the management and staff at 685 Market Street, have a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving!

*O La La serves breakfast and lunch 7 days a week. They are available for catering and special events in the Monadnock Building. For further information, contact Steve Aziz @ 415/ 904-8088.

& Music

2005-11-22T11:07:00.000-08:00

As usual, entertainment was provided by the incomparable Brian Moran.

New Freight Elevator

2005-11-11T15:46:00.000-08:00

Plans to install a new Sidewalk Elevator are in motion and rapidly moving forward.

The new elevator (pictured here) went in this week, and on Monday new concrete is scheduled to be poured.

The job went very smoothly thanks to coordination by Skyline's Brent Halley. Also, our project team led by the incomperable D'Anna Bradley, our Fearless Leader, Warren Mead, and Tom Harras of OTIS Elevators helped us rush this project through within budget and just in time for those big deliveries of presents!

Special thanks to George Von Klan for consulting, Chris Yamashita for writing this, and to the guy in the picture who's face we have omitted for aesthetic purposes. Just kidding. He was a nice enough looking guy.

Giant Window Sticker Refuses to Cooperate in Chainsmoking Investigations

2005-11-11T15:29:00.000-08:00

Although the conclusions that we've drawn from this picture are purely based on circumstantial evidence, we, the property management of the building, feel that something has to be done about the unsightly accumulation of cigarette butts in the area in front of the toy store- and we think we know who's to blame.

Repeated questioning of the giant child by our building assistant yielded little more than a cold, steady stare, and a few strange looks from passers-by. We wanted to know: had he seen who'd done this? Could he prove that it wasn't him? Whatever he knew, it was plain that he wasn't saying.

TO HELP US SOLVE THIS MYSTERY, WE'RE ASKING FOR EVERYBODY'S HELP ON THIS ONE:

If anyone sees this child doing this again, we'd like you to sternly remind him that SMOKING SHOULD BE DONE 10 FEET FROM THE BUILDING, and preferably around the corner, so that the second-hand smoke does not disturb the patrons of Jeffrey's Toys.

Remind our friend here that it also sets a bad example for the kids who patronize the toy-store and may look up to their giant buddy in the window as a role-model.

Also, leaving the butts there in front of a retailer in our building reflects poorly on us all. If we could get this kid to just walk 10 feet to Annie Street and deposit his cigarette butts in the Smoker's Station that is expressly set up there for that purpose, I think we'd all be happier and the whole building would look better.

THANKS FOR HELPING US KEEP OUR BUILDING CLEAN AND BEAUTIFUL!!!

Winter Bloom on Annie St.

2005-11-11T15:22:00.000-08:00

As the building management walks around downtown San Francisco we tend to size other buildings up, and one thing that was definately causing us some "building envy" was the lack of some nice color around the edges of our building.

WE ARE GREEN WITH ENVY NO MORE! Thanks to the greenthumbs at the San Francisco Plant Company!

The SFPC, which does such a stellar job in our building courtyard, came out this week and installed some great plantings of colorful Crysanthemums in the planters on Annie Street.

We hope you all get a chance to appreciate these while they're fresh and beautiful. And keep on the look-out for more great decorations this coming Winter Holiday.

It's all in a day's management here, at your friendly, local building office.

Pigeons Get the Boot

2005-11-11T14:46:00.000-08:00

Something's missing in this picture...

But that's not a bad thing.

Lately, due to increased traffic in Annie Street at lunch time (which by the way, we love to see) the Alley was quickly becoming a hot-spot for pigeons who were roosting on the building and doing what birds do after they eat.

In response to this imminent sanitary issue, we had BIRD BUSTERS install new bird deterrents on the Annie Street side of our building just this morning.

We hope this keeps the area pigeon free for a while and ask that everyone who enjoys eating outside help us keep the area free from scraps of food that attract our feathered friends in the first place, and remind anyone they see doing so to: PLEASE DON'T FEED THE PIGEONS!

Thanksgiving Food Drive

2005-11-11T14:19:00.000-08:00

Every Year, The San Francisco Food Bank "delivers groceries to more than 450 pantries and agencies serving thousands of San Francisco families, seniors and individuals in need.

With your help, the Food Bank can distribute enough food for nearly 53,000 meals every day".

This Thanksgiving, as far as we're concerned, it's gonna be 53,002 or bust.

If you're interested in helping us meet (or exceed) this goal, don't hesitate! Drop off one of the foods mentioned on the barrel and make a difference in our community!

(Insert warm fuzzy feelings here). Please note: glass containers are a no-no.

Weekly Update, 11/4/05

2005-11-04T15:31:00.000-08:00

MODERNISM/ GRIFFIN DAVIS JOINT ART OPENING DRAWS CROWDS

Last night the "First Thursday" opening at the Monadnock Building drew crowds of art lovers to our building's after hours expose.

Griffin Davis hosted artist Jennifer Roszell, whose paintings are currently on display in the 3rd floor Elevator Lobby. Chris Crossen's have been moved to the 4th floor and Zoe Martell's have been placed on 5.

Modernism hosted controversial artist Gottfried Helnwein. Similarly controversial singer, Marilyn Manson, a friend of Gottfried, made an appearance as well.

We urge you to take some time to check out the new pieces on display throughout the building! A wonderful Chris Crossen piece was added on the 4th floor, and the art in Modernism showcases a provoking reinterpretation of the Alice in Wonderland story, as seen by an artist born is post-war Austria. Don't miss it!

WHAT'S UP (AND DOWN) WITH THOSE ELEVATORS?

The old sidewalk elevator on Stevenson Street is under repair from the 4th to the 25th. Expect to see an increase in deliveries through the front of the building.

We are in the process of rebalancing the last of the elevators. Hopefully some of you have noticed that the ride is better and others have noticed nothing at all, which is the goal- to make your elevator commute as smooth and possible.

GREEN - WITH ENVY?

Our first Green Building Stewardship Meeting went off without a hitch... or a speaker this morning. Luckily, Warren Mead, Property Manager of 685 Market Street and Chairman of the downtown Recyling Task Force was able to pull together an enlightening discussion with our Janitorial Management and Suppliers.

Tenants in attendance learned that our Building is one of the first in downtown San Francisco to initiate a program whose goal is to move toward phasing all chemicals used in the building to Green or Environmentally Friendly products, which will improve the quality of life for the tenants in the building and the people we rely on for cleaning services. Tenants learned about some of the ways they could help in the process. A Power-Point presentation is being worked on now to be made available for those who were not able to attend and to give those who did a reference for the ways that we can pull together to help make this building a better place.

WINTER BLOOM PLANNED FOR ANNIE STREET

As the days get shorter and the nights a bit colder, we've noticed that more and more tenants are taking their lunches outside to enjoy the small bit of sunshine this city has to offer. What more perfect moment, we thought, than to beautify Annie St a bit for the holidays? Now that we have the skate deterrents up, the planters painted, and the woodchips and lights, we are taking the initiative to add some color, the exact form of which we are in negotiations to determine.

Weekly Update 10/13

2005-10-13T08:51:00.000-07:00

GREAT ART FOR A GREAT CAUSE

Some of you might have noticed something different in the building. Something to do with the walls...

Last month we finalized negotiations with Griffin Davis (www.griffindavisart.com) to provide new art in the building, sales of which go to benefit Art for Healing (www.artforhealing.org). It's great art for a great cause, and we're happy to offer this to our tenants throughout the building. If you have a moment, stop by the 3rd, 4th or 5th floor on your next break.

ELEVATOR MAINTENANCE

Due to recurring problems with elevator cab #2 (the one farthest to your left when you face the elevator bank), OTIS elevator company is currently performing a comprehensive testing and adjustment process upon it. It may be out of service at times, and we apologize for the inconvenience this may cause during high-traffic periods of elevator use.

Weekly Update

2005-08-19T16:20:00.000-07:00

RESTROOMS-
The restrooms are back in working order after an eternity of delays. Lessons learned: if your contractor says something is on its way, it's probably two weeks behind schedule. If your contractor says something is delayed, it's probably two months behind schedule. If your contractor says they're having a problem getting it shipped, it's because they don't make that part or fixture anymore. Expect ongoing work, though, as we inspect the finished product and make adjustments.

ELEVATORS-
Work on the elevator remodels has begun. We had similar supply issues which will most likely slow the pace of the work, but we will proceed one elevator at a time and will not begin work on one until all the materials necessary to complete it have been received at this building.

TENANTS PLAY MUSICAL CHAIRS-
Truste has moved from the 5th floor (suite 560) to the 2nd (suite 270). If you see any FedEx people wandering in the hallways they're probably just lost and looking for Truste's new space. Please do not touch or attempt to feed them. Simply inform them from a safe distance that Truste has moved to the second floor.
ALSO
IMG has moved in to the 5th floor (suite 500). IMG is a talent management company with such sports stars as Tiger Woods and Venus Williams in their roster of clients. Elevator rides may become a lot more exciting around here.

CORY AWARDS-
The CORY (Commercial Recycler of the Year) Awards recognized the Monadnock Building as one of the top commercial recyclers in San Francisco in the small building category. We would like to thank our tenants for helping us achieve this wonderful award by throwing an ice-cream social sometime in September. We're will keep you updated on the planning.

BUILDING FLAGS-
If you haven't seen our new Flag design, take a moment to look up on the next windy day. It's the pink one on the far right with a print of our lobby mural. Please note that the other flags are way overdue to be replaced and we apologize for the delay. Our flag vendor recently went out of business and we are searching for a new one for these staple flags.

That's it for the update!

Thanks for reading,
-The Building Management