URGENT UPDATE: San Francisco’s literary icon Dave Eggers has just announced plans for an innovative café within the groundbreaking Art + Water Project at Pier 29. This new establishment aims to redefine the local cafe experience and is set to become a cultural and culinary hub on the Embarcadero.
The ambitious venture, envisioned as a gathering place for artists and art lovers, will open its doors in late summer or fall 2026. Eggers is collaborating with Mokhtar Alkhanshali, the visionary behind Oakland’s renowned Yemeni café Mohka House. Together, they intend to create a unique environment that pays homage to historic coffeehouses, serving as a platform for revolutionary ideas and artistic expression.
In a statement to the San Francisco Chronicle, Eggers described the forthcoming café as a space to “luxuriate in a space filled with rugs, pillows, tapestries, silver, copper, and gold.” Alkhanshali emphasized the need for a coffee presence in the area, explaining that Eggers recognized, “there was no coffee in that entire area.” This new cafe aims to transcend the typical coffee experience, drawing inspiration from the rich traditions of coffeehouses in Sana’a, Cairo, and Boston.
The Art + Water Project at Pier 29 encompasses a vast 70,000 square feet, dedicated to supporting the arts community. The initiative will provide 10 established artists with free studio space, requiring them to mentor 20 emerging artists. This mentorship model deviates from traditional art schools, focusing on apprenticeships that alleviate the financial burden on aspiring artists.
The first program is set to feature the works of Oakland musician and filmmaker Boots Riley. Additionally, Alkhanshali plans to enhance community engagement by hosting events and showcasing artists at the café.
The partnership with the Community Arts Stabilization Trust, which secured a two-year lease for the pier, offers an expansive 30,000 square feet for the project. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, this area will serve as a sanctuary for visual artists like Paul Madonna and Taraneh Hemani, providing a “satellite” gallery for those priced out of other spaces.
Applications for the nonprofit’s inaugural fellowship will soon be available via Art + Water’s social media channels. The project promises free classes and gallery exhibitions aimed at enriching the local community and fostering artistic growth.
Stay tuned for further updates as this exciting project develops!
