URGENT UPDATE: San Francisco’s literary icon Dave Eggers has just announced the opening of a groundbreaking café at the highly anticipated Art + Water Project located at Pier 29. This innovative venture aims to transform the Embarcadero into a vibrant hub for artists and coffee lovers alike, set to launch in late summer or fall 2026.
Eggers, known for his influential role in the literary scene, is collaborating with Mokhtar Alkhanshali, the visionary behind Oakland’s acclaimed Yemeni café, Mohka House. In a statement, Eggers emphasized that this café will redefine the traditional coffeehouse experience, creating a space for creativity and community. He described it as an inviting sanctuary filled with “rugs, pillows, tapestries, silver, copper, and gold,” reflecting the rich cultural heritage of historic coffeehouses.
Alkhanshali highlighted the need for a coffee destination in the area, stating, “[Eggers] noticed there was no coffee in that entire area.” This café aims to go beyond the ordinary, offering an atmosphere reminiscent of the famous coffeehouses in Sana’a, Cairo, and Boston, where revolutionary ideas flourished.
The Art + Water initiative spans an impressive 70,000 square feet, providing ten established artists with free studio space in exchange for mentoring twenty emerging artists. This innovative approach seeks to break away from traditional art school models, promoting a debt-free education through apprenticeships. The project will kick off with a showcase from Oakland musician and filmmaker Boots Riley, underscoring the commitment to enriching the local arts community.
Additionally, the café will serve as a gathering place for artistic events and exhibitions, fostering collaboration among local creators. The partnership with the Community Arts Stabilization Trust is critical, offering a significant space for visual artists like Paul Madonna and Taraneh Hemani. This area will also function as a “satellite” gallery for those unable to afford traditional gallery spaces.
Applications for the nonprofit’s inaugural fellowship will soon be available on Art + Water’s social media channels, allowing the community to engage in free classes and gallery exhibitions designed to uplift and educate.
This exciting development at Pier 29 is not just about coffee; it’s a movement towards creating a supportive ecosystem for artists and coffee enthusiasts in San Francisco. Stay tuned for more updates as this project unfolds, promising to reshape the cultural landscape of the city.
