The Irish Center is at a Crossroads. The current facility and business cannot be sustained long term, and the future of the Irish Center in San Francisco is at stake. It is time for a bold move. It is time to think big.
It is time for the Irish Center 2025 Project
WATCH the 2025 Bldg Information Video below:
The future Starts Now
Established 1975 | Re-Established 2025
The whole Irish American community is buzzing with optimism since we revealed a bold new visionary proposal to rebuild The Center. While the Building Working Group committee explored several options in the Spring of 2021, the option to redevelop the existing site was the concept that made most sense. A new building provides the community with a greater variety of spaces devoted to cultural programming uses that is currently not available.
One of the options during the period of discovery and brainstorming was to sell the existing building and move elsewhere in the city or develop a new center outside the city. This option did not enthuse or energize the group. Neither did the idea of remodeling the center or adding couple of more floors to the existing structure. The reasoning was the high cost of rehabbing the building and tearing everything back to the studs to structurally support the addition of any new floors on top of the existing structure.
Pre-construction cost analysis for the new building comes in at $74 million dollars. The grand redevelopment plan proposed by Redmond Lyons and his committee calls on the entire community to contribute and participate with their Time, Talent or Treasure. Many in the community will be able to donate money to help rebuild, but there are others who have graciously already offered their time and talents to the committee to rebuild the Center.
Check back here for updates on the 2025 Project and ways you can contribute your Time, Talent or Treasure.
Renderings
Initial Concepts to help convey the potential for the new space
Click on photos to see an expanded view
Form Generation & Inspiration
Initial Concepts.
Irish Center 2025 Project 3D Virtual Fly-Through
“This is a once in a generation opportunity to do something really special for the Irish American community to ensure a gathering place for all of us for decades to come.”
“This building will stand testament to the great vision, commitment, and generosity of this era – and should be completed debt-free as a gift to the future generations of Irish and Irish Americans of the Bay Area.”
Media
Public outreach regarding the 2025 Project. Watch this section for frequent updates.
PRESS RELEASES
Building Project Gets Full City Approval - December 2023
Special announcement regarding project milestone
VIDEO
SF City Project Approval
KTVU Fox 2 Morning News Clip – Dec. 15, 2023
The UICC is at a Crossroads - March 17, 2023
Video Update 2025 Bldg – March 2023
Irish Center 2025 Project 3D Virtual Fly-Through
Updated February 2022
UICC Public Meeting - May 7, 2021
Public Meeting to discuss the future of the Irish Center
Irish Herald - February 2024
UICC President Liam Reidy’s article “Reflecting On Nearly Fifty Years In The Community: A Retrospective And Future Outlook”
Irish Herald - January 2024
UICC President Liam Reidy’s article “Bold Vision For The Irish Realized, San Francisco City Council Approves Plans For New Center”
SF City Project Approval
Dec. 14, 2023 Irish Star Article
SF City Project Approval
Dec. 14, 2023 Irish Echo Article
Irish Herald - December 2023
UICC President Liam Reidy’s article “From Youthful Passion to Seasoned Leadership: Shaping The Future of Our Center”
Irish Herald - November 2023
UICC President Liam Reidy’s article “Resilience And Renewal: Five Years Of Progress At The Irish Center.”
Irish Herald - October 2023
UICC President Liam Reidy’s article “Preserving Tradition: The Remarkable Journey Of Irish American Halls In San Francisco.”
Irish Herald - September 2023
UICC President Liam Reidy’s article “Unveiling After-School STEM Courses at The United Irish Cultural Center.”
Irish Herald - August 2023
UICC President Liam Reidy’s article “A Memorable Journey: Nashville’s Inspiration For The Irish Center In San Francisco”
Irish Herald - July 2023
UICC President Liam Reidy’s article “Fostering Irish Heritage: Enriching Experiences and Musical Milestones”
Irish Herald - June 2023
UICC President Liam Reidy’s article “Investing In The Future: Nurturing Young Minds Through Music, Arts, Dance And Education”
Irish Herald - May 2023
UICC President Liam Reidy’s article “The Golden Generation: A Living Legacy”
Irish Herald - April 2023
UICC President Liam Reidy’s article “Proud to be Irish American”
Irish Herald - March 2023
Irish Herald - February 2023
UICC President Liam Reidy’s article “San Francisco Irish Center Enters National Spotlight”
Irish Herald - January 2023
UICC President Liam Reidy’s article “New Year With New Goals And Aspirations For 2023”
Irish Herald - December 2022
Irish Herald - November 2022
UICC President Liam Reidy’s article “Time To Be Thankful, And Reinvestment For The Center”
Irish Herald - October 2022
Irish Herald - September 2022
UICC President Liam Reidy’s article “Irish America is Bouncing Back Better”
Irish Herald - August 2022
Irish Herald - July 2022
Irish Herald - June 2022
UICC President Liam Reidy’s article “Investing In The Next Generation Of Irish American Leaders”
Irish Herald - May 2022
UICC President Liam Reidy’s article “Irish Culture Showcase Event Hits a Home Run!”
Irish Herald - April 2022
UICC President Liam Reidy’s article “2022 St Patrick’s Season is Huge Success”
Irish Herald - March 2022
UICC President Liam Reidy’s article “You Never Miss The Water Until The Well Runs Dry!”
Irish Herald - February 2022
UICC President Liam Reidy’s article “Praise The Youth And They Will Flourish!”
Irish Herald - January 2022
UICC President Liam Reidy’s article “Culture and Arts Program Expansion Planned For 2022”
Irish Herald - December 2021
UICC President Liam Reidy’s article “2021: What a Year … Rescue, Recovery And Rebuild!”
Richmond Review/Sunset Beacon - November 2021
Irish Herald - November 2021
UICC President Liam Reidy’s article “Connecting the Dots …”
Irish Herald - October 2021
UICC President Liam Reidy’s article “Daddy, Are You Really Going To Build A New Irish Center?”
Irish Herald - September 2021
UICC President Liam Reidy’s article “A Good Start Is Half The Work”
Irish Herald - August 2021
UICC President Liam Reidy’s article “Build It And They Will Come”
Irish Herald - June 2021
UICC President Liam Reidy’s multi-page article introducing the genesis and overall vision of the 2025 Project
Pledge
Please consider a Pledge to The 2025 Project. Download the PLEDGE FORM, fill in the details and send it to us (options on the form) and we will contact you as soon as possible. If you have any questions please email us.
Stories
Narratives highlighting culture and heritage as experienced by our members and the community.