Roland Li
@roland-li.bsky.social
Business Reporter @sfchronicle.com
Author of "Good Luck Have Fun: The Rise of eSports"
Waiting for Slay the Spire 2 while painting Death Guard.
Author of "Good Luck Have Fun: The Rise of eSports"
Waiting for Slay the Spire 2 while painting Death Guard.
First look inside Samuel Merritt University's new $240 million downtown Oakland campus: www.sfchronicle.com/eastbay/arti... 📸: @jachristian.bsky.social
Exclusive: Bay Area university to open $240 million downtown Oakland campus. Here’s a look inside
The 10-story, 260,000-square-foot building will have state-of-the-art classrooms, a virtual reality center and space for motion analysis research.
www.sfchronicle.com
October 3, 2025 at 6:58 PM
First look inside Samuel Merritt University's new $240 million downtown Oakland campus: www.sfchronicle.com/eastbay/arti... 📸: @jachristian.bsky.social
Indie SF studio @supergiantgames.bsky.social's "Hades" sold millions of copies. Its sequel could be even bigger and is now out!
sfchronicle.com/tech/article... 📸: Yolanda James
sfchronicle.com/tech/article... 📸: Yolanda James
September 25, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Indie SF studio @supergiantgames.bsky.social's "Hades" sold millions of copies. Its sequel could be even bigger and is now out!
sfchronicle.com/tech/article... 📸: Yolanda James
sfchronicle.com/tech/article... 📸: Yolanda James
California’s economy is "adrift" as job growth weakens, unemployment rate remains highest in country at 5.5%
www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...
www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...
California’s economy ‘adrift’ as job growth weakens, unemployment rate remains highest in country
The state has lost jobs in five of the past eight months, with July’s revised figures showing a major loss of 8,100 government jobs.
www.sfchronicle.com
September 19, 2025 at 10:16 PM
California’s economy is "adrift" as job growth weakens, unemployment rate remains highest in country at 5.5%
www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...
www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...
Elon Musk's X has found its first subtenant at its former San Francisco HQ: Motive is moving into the troubled Mid-Market area — which is being rebranded as "Lower Hayes" by real estate brokers sfchronicle.com/tech/article...
Tech firm moves into Elon Musk’s former X HQ in Mid-Market — now being marketed as ‘Lower Hayes’
The company, which focuses on vehicle automation, joins a handful of new tech firms coming to San Francisco's Mid-Market area, which has seen an uptick of interest from young startups.
sfchronicle.com
September 18, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Elon Musk's X has found its first subtenant at its former San Francisco HQ: Motive is moving into the troubled Mid-Market area — which is being rebranded as "Lower Hayes" by real estate brokers sfchronicle.com/tech/article...
Dead malls are finding new life as housing. The 93% empty S.F. Centre is unlikely to join them, experts say www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/mall-downtown-empty-housing-21051613.php
Dead malls are finding new life as housing — S.F. Centre is unlikely to join them
The are significant challenges standing in the way of reviving the fortunes of the San Francisco Centre mall, which has more combined retail and office space than Salesforce Tower.
www.sfchronicle.com
September 16, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Dead malls are finding new life as housing. The 93% empty S.F. Centre is unlikely to join them, experts say www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/mall-downtown-empty-housing-21051613.php
Reposted by Roland Li
Dead malls all around the U.S. have been converted or demolished for new housing. But don’t expect a similar transformation at the 1.5 million-square-foot San Francisco Centre mall, experts say.
Dead malls are finding new life as housing — S.F. Centre is unlikely to join them
The are significant challenges standing in the way of reviving the fortunes of the San Francisco Centre mall, which has more combined retail and office space than Salesforce Tower.
bit.ly
September 16, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Dead malls all around the U.S. have been converted or demolished for new housing. But don’t expect a similar transformation at the 1.5 million-square-foot San Francisco Centre mall, experts say.
Trump’s tariffs could cost San Francisco 18,000 lost jobs, $5,600 in average lost income by 2045, city says www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/t...
How much money could you lose due to Trump’s tariffs? San Francisco has done the math
A report by the city of San Francisco details how much money residents can expect to lose because of President Donald Trump’s tariffs. They could also cost the city thousands of jobs.
www.sfchronicle.com
September 15, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Trump’s tariffs could cost San Francisco 18,000 lost jobs, $5,600 in average lost income by 2045, city says www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/t...
Exclusive: Two of S.F.’s biggest hotels are being sold. These are the buyers www.sfchronicle.com/realestate/a...
Exclusive: Two of S.F.’s biggest hotels are being sold. These are the buyers
The sale of these prominent hotels requires court approval following the previous owner’s decision to give up the properties and stop paying the mortgage.
www.sfchronicle.com
September 2, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Exclusive: Two of S.F.’s biggest hotels are being sold. These are the buyers www.sfchronicle.com/realestate/a...
S.F.’s international tourism to drop in 2025. Experts blame Trump’s hostility to the world www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...
S.F. tourism to grow in 2025 despite Trump’s hostility, declines from Canada and Mexico
San Francisco’s critical tourism sector is growing in 2025 thanks to more conferences and domestic visitors, but President Trump’s hostility towards foreigners is taking a toll, experts said.
www.sfchronicle.com
August 28, 2025 at 11:58 PM
S.F.’s international tourism to drop in 2025. Experts blame Trump’s hostility to the world www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...
SF apartment rents surge 11.5% in August compared to 2024 to the highest level since April 2020: www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...
S.F. apartment rents surge again in August to highest level since April 2020
San Francisco’s median monthly apartment rent surged 11.5% in the past 12 months. It was once again the highest annual increase in the U.S. — and more evidence the city’s economy is on the...
www.sfchronicle.com
August 28, 2025 at 11:55 PM
SF apartment rents surge 11.5% in August compared to 2024 to the highest level since April 2020: www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...
Exclusive: Lloyd Goldman, a scion of one of America's richest real estate families, is buying a Lake Tahoe hotel: www.sfchronicle.com/travel/artic...
Exclusive: Scion of one of America’s richest real estate families to buy Lake Tahoe hotel
Goldman’s New York company BLDG Management and Metrovest Equities are in contract to purchase the 261-room Beach Retreat and Lodge at Lake Tahoe.
www.sfchronicle.com
August 25, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Exclusive: Lloyd Goldman, a scion of one of America's richest real estate families, is buying a Lake Tahoe hotel: www.sfchronicle.com/travel/artic...
Reposted by Roland Li
Owner 1019 Market St. LP bought the property for $48 million in 2014. After a default in April, the property will be auctioned off in a foreclosure sale.
Exclusive: Former Mid-Market tech HQ to be auctioned after losing 80% of its value
Owner 1019 Market St. LP bought the property for $48 million in 2014. After a default in April, the property will be auctioned off in a foreclosure sale.
bit.ly
August 25, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Owner 1019 Market St. LP bought the property for $48 million in 2014. After a default in April, the property will be auctioned off in a foreclosure sale.
Exclusive: The former Mid-Market HQ of Zendesk will be auctioned off after losing 80% of its value and the landlord defaulted on its mortgage. www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...
Zendesk left for 181 Fremont and previously benefited from the controversial "Twitter tax break."
Zendesk left for 181 Fremont and previously benefited from the controversial "Twitter tax break."
Exclusive: Former Mid-Market tech HQ to be auctioned after losing 80% of its value
Owner 1019 Market St. LP bought the property for $48 million in 2014. After a default in April, the property will be auctioned off in a foreclosure sale.
www.sfchronicle.com
August 25, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Exclusive: The former Mid-Market HQ of Zendesk will be auctioned off after losing 80% of its value and the landlord defaulted on its mortgage. www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...
Zendesk left for 181 Fremont and previously benefited from the controversial "Twitter tax break."
Zendesk left for 181 Fremont and previously benefited from the controversial "Twitter tax break."
California unemployment rises to 5.5%, worst in the U.S. as tech falters: ‘It’s brutal out there’ www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...
California unemployment rises to 5.5%, worst in the U.S. as tech falters: ‘It’s brutal out there’
Michael Bernick, former head of the Employment Development Department, said people seeking tech jobs are grappling with the toughest market in years.
www.sfchronicle.com
August 15, 2025 at 7:43 PM
California unemployment rises to 5.5%, worst in the U.S. as tech falters: ‘It’s brutal out there’ www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...
Oracle lays off 188 Bay Area workers in latest round of cuts www.sfchronicle.com/tech/article...
Oracle lays off 188 Bay Area workers in latest round of cuts
The company also reportedly laid off 161 workers in Seattle and additional staff in India.
www.sfchronicle.com
August 14, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Oracle lays off 188 Bay Area workers in latest round of cuts www.sfchronicle.com/tech/article...
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office disputed a new report from California’s auditor that said remote work 3x a week could save state $225 million a year via office space reductions. sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Newsom ordered 4 days in the office for state workers but delayed order until 2026.
Newsom ordered 4 days in the office for state workers but delayed order until 2026.
Newsom disputes California auditor’s report that remote work could save state $225 million a year
The auditor's report found that the state could potentially cut its office space by around 30% across seven large buildings, if it allowed workers to remain remote for three days a week.
sfchronicle.com
August 13, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office disputed a new report from California’s auditor that said remote work 3x a week could save state $225 million a year via office space reductions. sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Newsom ordered 4 days in the office for state workers but delayed order until 2026.
Newsom ordered 4 days in the office for state workers but delayed order until 2026.
Hilton Union Square, SF's biggest hotel, and Parc 55 have been in foreclosure for around two years. The properties, which total nearly 3,000 hotel rooms combined, are now on the verge of being sold, despite four deadline extensions: www.sfchronicle.com/realestate/a...
Two of S.F.’s largest hotels are on the verge of being sold, despite repeated delays
The two hotels are some of the biggest buildings in the city, and investment interest could be a sign that downtown is rebounding from its pandemic-inflicted struggles.
www.sfchronicle.com
August 8, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Hilton Union Square, SF's biggest hotel, and Parc 55 have been in foreclosure for around two years. The properties, which total nearly 3,000 hotel rooms combined, are now on the verge of being sold, despite four deadline extensions: www.sfchronicle.com/realestate/a...
Port of Oakland imports jump 31% in July as companies rush to beat Trump’s tariffs www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...
Exclusive: Port of Oakland imports jump 31% as companies rush to beat Trump’s tariffs
Major impacts of the tariffs on Bay Area consumers “has yet to be felt,” experts say, but could hit during the busy holiday shopping season this year
www.sfchronicle.com
August 8, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Port of Oakland imports jump 31% in July as companies rush to beat Trump’s tariffs www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...
Reposted by Roland Li
The rooftop plans by the label that shepherded Shaboozey’s hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” are the latest sign of investment and energy in downtown, following popular block parties and outdoor...
Exclusive: S.F. record label proposes rooftop concert venue at new downtown HQ
The rooftop plans by the label that shepherded Shaboozey’s hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” are the latest sign of investment and energy in downtown, following popular block parties and outdoor...
bit.ly
August 4, 2025 at 4:00 PM
The rooftop plans by the label that shepherded Shaboozey’s hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” are the latest sign of investment and energy in downtown, following popular block parties and outdoor...
Empire is seeking to build a rooftop concert and events venue atop its new downtown SF HQ: www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/r...
The company paid $22.5 million for the vacant historic building, which sold for $82 million in 2019
The company paid $22.5 million for the vacant historic building, which sold for $82 million in 2019
Exclusive: S.F. record label proposes rooftop concert venue at new downtown HQ
The rooftop plans by the label that shepherded Shaboozey’s hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” are the latest sign of investment and energy in downtown, following popular block parties and outdoor...
www.sfchronicle.com
August 4, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Empire is seeking to build a rooftop concert and events venue atop its new downtown SF HQ: www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/r...
The company paid $22.5 million for the vacant historic building, which sold for $82 million in 2019
The company paid $22.5 million for the vacant historic building, which sold for $82 million in 2019
Software engineers dominate the ranks of top earners in the SF/San Jose region, accounting for a fifth of jobs with salaries in the the top 10%: www.sfchronicle.com/projects/202...
And many of them are Gen-Zers.
And many of them are Gen-Zers.
Jobs of the rich: What the highest-earning Bay Area residents do for work
The highest-income residents of the Bay Area are software developers. That's not true in other major metro areas.
www.sfchronicle.com
July 30, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Software engineers dominate the ranks of top earners in the SF/San Jose region, accounting for a fifth of jobs with salaries in the the top 10%: www.sfchronicle.com/projects/202...
And many of them are Gen-Zers.
And many of them are Gen-Zers.
Exclusive: Apple to buy Sunnyvale office complex for $365 million in its third massive Bay Area deal this year. sfchronicle.com/realestate/a...
That's $882 million in spending for nine buildings.
That's $882 million in spending for nine buildings.
Exclusive: Apple to buy another Silicon Valley campus for $365 million
Apple has been on a Bay Area real estate spending spree, with three deals totaling $882 million.
sfchronicle.com
July 29, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Exclusive: Apple to buy Sunnyvale office complex for $365 million in its third massive Bay Area deal this year. sfchronicle.com/realestate/a...
That's $882 million in spending for nine buildings.
That's $882 million in spending for nine buildings.
"Insanely competitive" SF apartment rents surge 11%, the highest rate in the country: www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/a... U.S. down 0.7% in last year
Bidding wars and crammed open houses are back. AI, return to office and only a trickle of new development is making this summer feel like the 2010s.
Bidding wars and crammed open houses are back. AI, return to office and only a trickle of new development is making this summer feel like the 2010s.
San Francisco rent prices surge in ‘landlord’s market.’ Here’s what’s going on
San Francisco’s median apartment rent surged 11% in June compared with a year earlier, the highest increase in the country, and the city’s median rent is the highest since 2020.
www.sfchronicle.com
July 25, 2025 at 5:44 PM
"Insanely competitive" SF apartment rents surge 11%, the highest rate in the country: www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/a... U.S. down 0.7% in last year
Bidding wars and crammed open houses are back. AI, return to office and only a trickle of new development is making this summer feel like the 2010s.
Bidding wars and crammed open houses are back. AI, return to office and only a trickle of new development is making this summer feel like the 2010s.