FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SF Heritage Media Contact:
Woody LaBounty
President & CEO
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wlabounty@sfheritage.org
SAN FRANCISCO HERITAGE ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR MUSIC AND CULTURAL CENTER WITH KEXP AT HAIGHT AND ASHBURY
The citywide advocacy group is exploring a new partnership with nonprofit radio station KEXP and Blue Bear School of Music to reuse the historic property at the corner of Haight and Ashbury.
September 17, 2026 [SAN FRANCISCO]–Today, SF Heritage announces exploring a partnership with public broadcaster KEXP and their project partner Blue Bear School of Music to create a new cultural center at the historic Doolan-Larson House and Storefronts on the corner of Haight and Ashbury streets.
“Art and music have been part of what makes San Francisco special for generations. Today, we celebrate not only that legacy, but also the creativity that is still driving our economic recovery,” said Mayor Daniel Lurie. “Innovative partnerships like this one help us reimagine what’s possible and find new ways to activate our neighborhoods.”
The plans for the partnership between SF Heritage, KEXP, and Blue Bear School of Music call for creating a welcoming third space for year-round daily activation, a rooftop venue for live music and community celebrations, radio broadcast facilities, and a full floor dedicated to individual and group music lessons. SF Heritage will finalize the adaptive reuse plan with KEXP and Blue Bear over the coming months, soliciting community input and determining feasibility for construction and project financing.
The historic Doolan-Larson House is a landmark of the counterculture and a symbol of San Francisco’s ongoing role as a nexus of cultural and political change. San Francisco Heritage has stewarded the property since 2017 after it was donated by longtime resident and owner Norm Larson. This gift marked the beginning of a years-long, inclusive public process to identify partners for the adaptive reuse and activation of the property. Three teams submitted their full proposals in June, with a final selection made by the SF Heritage board in August.
“SF Heritage is the steward of a historic property at the most famous intersection in the world,” said Woody LaBounty, San Francisco Heritage President and CEO. “With KEXP and Blue Bear School of Music, we see an exciting future of preserving the integrity of the Doolan-Larson building, honoring the spirit of the counterculture, and ensuring the Haight Ashbury community thrives both economically and culturally.”
As part of planning, the KEXP team has drawn on the specialized knowledge of Page & Turnbull, a San Francisco-based architecture firm dedicated to historic preservation and adaptive reuse, and Gensler, a global architecture and design firm founded in San Francisco.
“KEXP is honored to move forward with the next steps to realize our proposal for the adaptive reuse of the Doolan-Larson House and Storefronts,” said Ethan Raup, KEXP CEO. “We are deeply inspired by the prospect of establishing a lasting partnership with SF Heritage and Blue Bear School of Music, built on our shared commitment to culture, legacy, and the unique identity of this iconic intersection. We approach this opportunity with profound respect for the stewardship required to preserve and uphold both the tangible structure of the Doolan-Larson buildings, and the living counterculture of Haight-Ashbury.”
“Working together, KEXP and Blue Bear will build one of the country’s most unique, innovative, and highly integrated civic music hubs,” said Steve Savage, Blue Bear School of Music Executive Director. “By selecting this project, SF Heritage is opening a space for us to create a complete music ecosystem: one that combines broadcasting, performance, discovery, education, and community under one roof.”
KEXP and Blue Bear School of Music will be at the Haight Ashbury Street Fair on Sunday, September 20, to share more about the project and support participating artists, local merchants, and organizations.
About the Doolan-Larson Residence & Storefronts—”The House at Haight-Ashbury”
Originally constructed in 1903 for Richard P. Doolan and raised in 1907 to add ground-floor storefronts, the building became the epicenter of Haight-Ashbury’s transformative movements in music, art, civil rights, LGBTQ+ identity, environmentalism, and technology during the 1960s. Mnasidika, one of San Francisco’s first hippie shops and associated with legendary rock performers such as the Grateful Dead and Janis Joplin, occupied the 1510 Haight Street storefront. The property was donated to San Francisco Heritage by longtime owner and resident Norm Larson in 2017.
About San Francisco Heritage
Founded in 1971, San Francisco Heritage is a 501(c)(3) membership organization that preserves and enhances San Francisco’s unique architectural and cultural identity. Our programs and partnerships interpret, share, and celebrate the shared histories, landscapes, and communities of the city to instill optimism, belonging, and purpose.
About KEXP
KEXP is an international community of music lovers and music makers, and a nonprofit organization fostering relationship and community building through broadcast, online, and in-person music programming. KEXP operates one of the most influential music radio stations in the world, championing music spanning eras, styles, and traditions. KEXP Radio broadcasts at 92.7 FM in the Bay Area and 90.3 FM in Seattle, with live and on-demand listening on their website and mobile apps. On YouTube, Live on KEXP sessions featuring exclusive in-studio performances and interviews from emerging and established artists are recognized globally, reaching 7 million viewers each month. From a public facility at Seattle Center, KEXP produces hundreds of live performances and music events each year, many of which are open to public audiences at no charge. KEXP’s mission is to enrich your life by championing music and discovery.
About Blue Bear School of Music
Blue Bear School of Music is San Francisco’s preeminent school for rock, blues, folk, pop, songwriting, DJ, and electronic music. For 55+ years, Blue Bear has helped over 50,000 aspiring musicians of all ages and skill levels discover the joy of making music. At the heart of Blue Bear’s nonprofit mission is a simple philosophy: play the music you love. In this vibrant and welcoming community, each student’s individual talents and goals are recognized and supported. Beyond its classrooms, Blue Bear partners with leading San Francisco social service organizations to bring the transformational power of music to underserved communities throughout the Bay Area. Last year, Blue Bear provided more than 1,000 free music programs for children, delivered 215 free programs in San Francisco schools, and employed 69 professional teaching artists.
