Mayor Lurie Unveils Renovated South Sunset Clubhouse, Reopening Upgraded Space for Sunset District Seniors

SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor Daniel Lurie today celebrated the reopening of the renovated South Sunset Clubhouse, a beloved neighborhood hub that provides meals, activities, and social opportunities for Sunset District seniors. With the renovations, the 2,000-square-foot clubhouse has been transformed into a more welcoming, modern, and accessible space where seniors can stay active, connect with their neighbors, and build community.

The new South Sunset Clubhouse builds on Mayor Lurie’s work to make San Francisco more welcoming to families so they can put down roots in the city. Under his Family Opportunity Agenda, San Francisco is on track to be the first major city in the U.S. where every family with kids under five has access to childcare. Through his Family Zoning plan and a transformative investment proposed for affordable housing, the city is working to drive new housing creation so San Franciscans can afford to raise their kids in the city. And investments in public spaces across the city are helping neighborhoods and families thrive: Since the spring, Mayor Lurie has broken ground on the Portsmouth Square Improvement Project in Chinatown, reopened the Tenderloin Recreation Center Children’s Play Area, and opened the newly rebuilt Eugene L. Friend Recreation Center in the South of Market neighborhood along with a new community resources center.

“When families have accessible, reliable, low-cost resources right in their communities, they can put down roots in San Francisco,” said Mayor Lurie. “Today’s opening of the South Sunset Clubhouse is an investment in the people who have helped build this neighborhood and this city. We want young people to have safe places to learn and play, working parents to have affordable childcare, and seniors to have places where they can stay active and rooted in their communities. I want to thank everyone who helped make this project possible, including our Recreation and Park Department, Department of Public Works, Self-Help for the Elderly, and the community members who brought this clubhouse back to life.”

Located within the four-acre South Sunset Playground, the clubhouse is operated by Self-Help for the Elderly and serves approximately 200 neighborhood seniors with daily hot meals, dance and fitness classes, social activities, and other programming.

The renovation modernized the historic building while preserving its role as a welcoming neighborhood gathering place. Improvements include a renovated multipurpose room for activities and classes; a modernized kitchen with new sinks, a refrigerator, freezer, and food preparation area to support Self-Help for the Elderly’s food service program; upgrades to the two outdoor restrooms and a new indoor restroom; and new sliding glass doors that bring in more natural light and provide direct access to the newly expanded and repaved back patio. A new pavilion shade structure provides additional shelter and comfort for outdoor activities.

The project also delivered a new roof, repairs to the building’s foundation and framing, and new plumbing, electrical, and other utility upgrades. New landscaping and irrigation, signage, and access improvements—including improved pathways and automatic doors—make the facility more accessible and easier to navigate. Together, the upgrades create a more modern, flexible space that can accommodate a wider range of programming and better support the services for South Sunset seniors.

“Staying active, connected, and engaged is important at every stage of life—but it’s especially for our seniors,” said Sarah Madland, San Francisco Recreation and Park Department General Manager. “With this modernized, state-of-the-art facility, we’re creating even more opportunities for them to stay healthy, build friendships, and continue to thrive.”

Self-Help for the Elderly has operated the South Sunset Clubhouse for more than 30 years, serving clients who are predominantly monolingual Cantonese speakers. Its programs help seniors stay active, engaged, and connected through physical activity, social interaction, and community.

“Our seniors are delighted to be coming home to a brand-new South Sunset Clubhouse for their meals and social activities this month,” said Anni Chung, President and CEO of Self-Help for the Elderly. “Many thanks to the Rec and Park team for this special gift!”

Outside of the Self-Help’s program regular hours of 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, the South Sunset Clubhouse will be available to the wider community for meeting space, birthday parties, and other rentals.

“Strong neighborhoods are built around places where people know one another and feel like they belong,” said District 4 Supervisor Alan Wong. “For generations, South Sunset Clubhouse has been that place for our seniors. This renovation honors that history while giving them the modern, welcoming space they deserve to stay active, share a meal, build friendships, and remain connected to the community they helped shape. As the District 4 supervisor, I’m proud to see us invest not just in a building, but in the people and relationships that make the Sunset a community.”

Construction on the South Sunset Clubhouse began in March 2025, with San Francisco Public Works managing construction and providing landscape design services for the renovation. The historic clubhouse was originally built in 1949 by San Francisco architect William Merchant and last renovated in 1991.

“From the roof and foundation to the plumbing and electrical systems, this 77-year-old building has been renovated from top to bottom,” said Carla Short, San Francisco Public Works Director. “The improvements to this beloved community hub create a more welcoming, accessible, and resilient space for people to break bread together, gather with friends, and keep active.”

The $5.8 million project was funded in part by $3.35 million from the city’s 2020 Health and Recovery Bond and $2.3 million in state budget funding secured by former State Assemblymember Phil Ting. The project was also supported by $150,000 from the Open Space Fund.