OUR STORY.

PROXY is an evolving open space experiment in the heart of Hayes Valley: a thriving construct of culture, commerce and community with the expressed intent of bringing people together in real time and space.

PROXY is the creation and on-going project of ENVELOPE Architecture + Design, who conceived the project, with direct input from the residents of Hayes Valley, as a temporary activation of two City of San Francisco-owned vacant lots, lots that had been in the path of the former 101 Central Freeway. PROXY developed organically, one-piece at at time, starting with the incubation of eight small-footprint vendors who enhance the vibrancy and diversity of the Hayes Valley business district.

As a way to bring people together through shared experiences, PROXY produces community and cultural programming in our large public plaza throughout the year that is always free and open to all! Our free programming includes two film festivals a year, in the Fall and in the Spring, and the Hayes Valley Carnival in mid-June. PROXY’s aligned 501c3 nonprofit, HERE FOR NOW, helps PROXY to fundraise for our free community and cultural events.