San Francisco Revival Driven by AI Companies: Greenlite AI Leases Floor at 612 Howard Street

Greenlite AI, a financial services AI company, has leased an entire floor at 612 Howard Street in San Francisco, a six-story commercial office building managed by Newmark. The deal is a sign of San Francisco's resurgence as AI companies choose to set up operations in the city. The company is on an aggressive hiring spree after closing a $15 million Series A funding round led by Greylock.

Title: Greenlite AI Leases Entire Floor at 612 Howard Street in San Francisco

San Francisco's office market continues to show signs of recovery, with AI companies leading the way. Greenlite AI, a financial services AI company, has recently signed a lease for an entire floor at 612 Howard Street, a six-story commercial office building in the city's SOMA district. The lease was brokered by Newmark, a leading commercial real estate firm.

Constructed in 1907 and restored in 1998, 612 Howard Street is a historic building that underwent a cosmetic renovation in 2025. The property, located between 2nd Street and New Montgomery Street, is just two blocks away from Moscone Center and offers easy access to public transit options including BART, Muni, CalTrain, and highways 101 and 280.

Greenlite AI, which recently closed a $15 million Series A funding round led by venture firm Greylock, is hiring aggressively to support its growth. The company's CEO, Will Lawrence, stated, "We needed office space that could handle our growth trajectory, and 612 Howard delivers exactly that. The building itself has a modern industrial yet clean aesthetic that aligns perfectly with our company culture — sophisticated, collaborative, and accessible."

The lease is a reflection of San Francisco's resurgence as an AI hub. According to a report from Cushman & Wakefield, new leasing in San Francisco reached its highest level since before the pandemic in the last quarter. This trend is being driven by AI firms, which are increasingly choosing to set up operations in the city.

Greenlite AI's decision to lease space in San Francisco is part of a broader trend. Databricks, an AI and data analytics company, recently leased an entire 305,000-square-foot building in Sunnyvale, Calif. Similarly, Nation, another AI startup, leased 105,000 square feet across five floors within Brookfield Properties’ Monadnock Building in San Francisco last year.

However, a November 2024 report from Newmark found that AI firms were taking a cautious approach to their office space needs. Leases from AI firms tended to lean toward three years, below the average of five years or more for regular firms, and 61 percent of AI leases in San Francisco were reported to be subleases.

This cautious approach may reflect the evolving nature of AI companies, which often prioritize flexibility and scalability in their office space needs. Despite this, the continued demand for office space from AI firms indicates the sector's growth and San Francisco's importance as a tech hub.

References:
[1] https://www.commercialsearch.com/news/lightner-secures-ai-company-lease-in-san-francisco/
[2] https://www.stocktitan.net/news/NMRK/ai-companies-fueling-san-francisco-bnyz50r2gpap.html
[3] https://coinpaper.com/10312/open-ai-raises-8-3-billion-funding-round-at-300-billion-valuation