San Francisco, CA — Herrero Builders is proud to announce the successful completion of a transformative renovation of the Beginner’s Mind Temple at the San Francisco Zen Center, a landmark building originally designed in 1922 by Julia Morgan and Dorothy Wormser.

Honoring a century of spiritual and social service, the renovation thoughtfully balanced preservation with modernization. Originally home to the Emanu-El Sisterhood for Jewish women and later a hub for Zen Buddhist practice, the four-story building has now entered a new chapter of inclusivity and functionality.

Led by Studio Bondy Architecture and constructed by Herrero Builders, the project preserved the building’s historic character while implementing major upgrades to infrastructure, new elevator and other accessibility features, and residential comfort. Signature features include a new 1,350-square-foot Welcome Center with reception, offices, and a bookstore—creating a warm and inviting experience for all visitors.

“Our team is honored to have contributed to the continued legacy of this remarkable building,” said Saptarshi Desai, Project Executive at Herrero Builders. “Together with Studio Bondy Architecture and the lovely staff at the Zen Center, we’ve ensured the facility remains a place of refuge, learning, and spiritual growth for generations to come.”

This project is a true embodiment of Herrero Builders’ values—built on deeply listening to what people value, aligning every stakeholder, and delivering with integrity, care, and long-term commitment. It reflects our obsession with revealing what matters most and turning it into visible, purposeful results.

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