Cargo Building 626

Envisioned as one of the first vertical cargo facilities in the United States, the roughly 270,000‑square‑foot complex reimagines airport logistics on a land‑constrained site by lifting a full second level of warehouse operations above the air‑side apron and linking them to flight lines with an automated material‑handling spine.

Traditionally, airports in the US have ample land at their disposal and single-story cargo buildings meet the airline’s flexible programming requirements. In contrast, Cargo Building 626 is constrained by a limited footprint and a lack of available land. To address these challenges, the design stacks two floors of cargo operations on top of each other to move more cargo on a smaller footprint. The five-story adjacent office building houses necessary support spaces and provides additional flexible office space for lease by tenants and SFO.

Sustainable solutions are embedded in the project’s design. Passive strategies such as daylighting and compact yet effective volume management contribute to a more energy-efficient envelope. 33-foot floor-to-floor heights in the warehouse increase operational and structural efficiency, ensuring long-term adaptability. The design maximizes daylight penetration in the office areas while strategically introducing natural light at eye level within the warehouse, creating a brighter, more inviting, and efficient work environment.

To address prior safety concerns, the design creates separate zones for pedestrian and truck traffic, increasing visibility and reducing potential conflict points.

Developed through a progressive design-build process that pairs SCB with small local business partners, Cargo Building 626 sets a new benchmark for resilient, human focused cargo infrastructure. When it opens, the project will modernize and consolidate SFO’s cargo operations and offer a model for airports across the country facing the twin pressures of land scarcity and rising freight demand.