San Francisco Japantown Task Force

DATA SHEET

Place/Event: Kokoro Assisted Living Center (1881 Bush Building)

Address: 1881 Bush St., San Francisco

Description:

The Kokoro Assisted Living Center is a housing complex for seniors who require assisted care. Approximately 37,500 square feet in size, it can accommodate 61 seniors in 54 studio-sized apartments, each equipped with its own bathroom and refrigerator. The entire living center is comprised of two separate buildings – the original temple and another separate building that was added during renovation (see history). The original temple is three-stories high and features a library and multi-purpose room on the upper floor, and a kitchen in the basement. The newer building is six-stories high, comprised mostly of residential housing. In the central sanctuary, the complex provides three meals a day, as well as a small stage where the community can provide entertainment for the residents (picture on right shows a tap-dancing program).

History:

Built in 1895, the Kokoro building was once a Jewish synagogue, the Congregation Ohabai Shalom Temple. The synagogue was the hub of San Francisco’s orthodox Jewish community, but declining membership forced the sale of the building in 1934 to the Japanese Soto Zen Buddhist Church. The temple soon became a prominent social gathering place for Japanese residents in the community, surviving the internment years before finally being taken over by the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency in the 1970’s. The building was frequently used by community-based organizations such as the Japanese Goh (Chess) Club, and in 1996, through community donations and sponsors, the Japantown Senior Housing Task Force was able to reclaim the building and launch a project to convert it into assisted living quarters for seniors in the community. The renovation project was completed in October 2003, and the building was officially re-opened as the Kokoro Assisted Living Center.

Significance:

Historical, Social

Recognition of Significance:

Pending California Historical Landmark; National Builder’s Choice Award; CA Heritage Preservation Award

Sources:

Steve Suzuki, President, Kokoro Assisted Living Center

Other Comments:

The Kokoro Building holds great sentimental and historical value for Japantown residents and former residents, who fondly remember when as a gathering place to enjoy films and chat with friends and family.

Prepared By: Young Kim Date Prepared: 7/21/04