During his performances, jazz pianist Fats Waller used to cry out such gold nuggets as "I wonder what the poor people are doing today?" Odds are pretty low that the hosts of this weekend's open houses would find the humor in that question. They would also be pretty distraught at the punchline. Here are some of this weekend's open houses, in all their opulent glory.
For those looking to rub elbows with the well-heeled denizens of Telegraph Hill, 468 Filbert Street offers a perfect opportunity. With 5 beds and 5.5 baths, the 5,440 square foot monster offers enough space for a bi-cornered couch. But wait, "is there enough room for my floor to ceiling collection of French wine?" Oh, rest your pretty little head. Originally listed at $5,495,000 in May, the property was reduced 9.1% in June to $4,995,000.
Located at 999 Green Street, the 32-story Eichler Summit is no stranger to astronomical prices. With floor-to-ceiling glass and terrific views of well, pretty much everything, there is little wonder as to why. That said, unit 2804 seems to be having a bit of trouble. Listed at $2,575,000 back on June 3, the sizable 2-bed, 2.5-bath lopped a cool $250,000 off the asking price yesterday.
This unit appears to have been extensively renovated, and while the agent omits the square footage from the listing, the pictures look spacious. Not only that, but the views are sufficient to make a blind man stand up and shout. And then comes the rub: with HOAs of $1,717 per month, we are encroaching on St. Regis territory.
Was: $2,575,000 Now: $2,325,000 You Save: $250,000 or 9.7%
At yesterday's regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission, SFJazz received the go ahead on their proposed Hayes Valley performance and administrative building. The three-story structure includes a 350 to 720-seat auditorium, educational and office facilities, a ground floor restaurant, a small ground floor retail sales area, and loading facilities. The development will replace an existing two-story mixed use building.
Claiming that the site's myriad transit options make the location ideal, the 38,600 square foot building will host the organizations various events and administrative functions, all without additional parking. SFJazz expects total construction costs of $18 million,not including $131,240 in potential neighborhood impact fees. While the Board of Supervisors will ultimately decide the fee issue, the Planning Commission recommended SFJazz not pay these fees due to its non-profit status. The approvals largely sailed through the Planning Commission with strong neighborhood support, proving conclusively that jazz is the salve of the NIMBY soul.
205 Franklin Street - [SFPlanning.org] Fee break urged for arts nonprofit - [SF Examiner] SFJazz gets OK for Arts District home - [City Insider] Hayes Valley's $60 Million SFJazz Center Should Arrive in 2012 - [Curbed SF]
Today is proving to be a public arts-heavy day. According to the City Insider, the National Endowment for the Arts has jumped on the Mid Market bandwagon with a $250,000 grant to install "an interactive, monumental artwork" on the vacant lot on 8th Street, across from UN Plaza. As part of a city-led $1.2 million sprucing plan, the NEA grant will go toward two art installations featuring "lasers or LED Lights" and other programs. Who knows, maybe this time really is different.
We are pretty nonplussed by the submissions for the Union Street Station. The same cannot be said for the Moscone Station. All of the proposed pieces at Moscone integrate well with the design of the station, and also provide an engaging break in the scenery of the typical transit hub. Joyce Hsu's Flocking-pictured above- is particularly interesting, as is Michele Oka Doner's Radiant Rays. These pieces prove that it is possible to incorporate design, public art, and hard function. So then what's up with the Chinatown Station?
This pre-quake Victorian at 975 Valencia hit the market yesterday and oozes plenty of lovingly restored sass. According to the listing, the house was originally built in 1875, and occupies a respectable 2,080 square feet. Listed at $1,199,000, that runs out to roughly $576 per foot. While contemporary, the finishes appear to respect the house's history. Extra points awarded for the stained glass window over the living room.
Yes, the building respects its roots, but this is no restoration for the historical register. Both the exterior and interior paint exhibit modern color schemes, and the kitchen appears to have been completely gutted and redone. The purple exterior stands out sharply from the neighboring buildings, but fits well into the overall character of the neighborhood. Include a three-car garage, and you have one modern pre-quake Victorian.
Last Friday, the NYT ran an excellent piece about a proposed $50 million annual fund for San Francisco affordable housing. Cobbled together by housing advocates, developers, and representatives of the Mayor's office, the deal would have added roughly 0.50% to the real estate transfer tax in order to offset affordability requirements. However, as a new tax, the proposal would almost certainly hit opposition from realtors, non-residential developers, and existing homeowners. Citing this impending opposition, THE Mayor Gavin Newsom unceremoniously torpedoed the proposal, a move which some proponents attribute more to the politics of the Gav's Lt Gov run than to sound policy.
The Central Subway has been a politically juiced project from the start. Despite the fact that the new line will create only 4,600 additional trips over existing bus service, and will cost an additional $4 million per year in operating expenditures over existing bus lines, utility relocation began in January, with completion scheduled for 2018
As if to soften the blow of this $1.6 billion behemoth, the SF Arts Commission is now soliciting feedback on public art proposals for the new Chinatown Station. Unsurprisingly, the submissions mostly play on the Chinese heritage of the community, telling the story of Chinese immigration, and highlighting various segments of Chinese culture. Also unsurprisingly, given the contentiousness of this project from the get-go, we are not impressed by what we have seen so far. As the SF Appeal makes clear, this is not a vote. Rather, the SFArts Commission wants your constructive criticism. So at the end of the day, much like the Central Subway itself, whether San Franciscans like the art or not, we're stuck with it.
Transformation of the derelict, graffiti-covered and vandalized Public Health Service Hospital into the Presidio Landmark has taken four years, and the old dear is finally buffed, polished, and ready for her closeup. Curbed SF has been watching all along, and yesterday, developer Forest City treated us to a private preview before the first of the events planned this week. There's been some serious nipping and tucking going on here, not to mention some liposuction.
When government agencies run into budget trouble, they are always tempted to sell off hard assets in order to meet budget shortfalls. Most recently, the state tried this shortsighted idea with a whole slew of state buildings, some in San Francisco. Eventually, someone has the temerity to mention what a bad move this is financially, and the scheme fades away until someone else comes up with the idea for what they think is the first time.
MUNI, as a perennially cash-strapped municipal organization, is not immune from this asset sale madness. Once again in the red, the SFMTA has again floated the idea of selling its Kirkland Division Bus Service Yard, to be potentially developed as a mix of below market and market rate housing. The yard, at the southwest corner of Beach and Stockton, was originally developed by the US Army for WWII, and currently maintains buses running the city's northeast routes.
Over the next week, DPW will team up with several other city agencies and hundreds of volunteers in order to spruce up Fisherman's Wharf for tourist season. The effort culminates this Saturday where 150 volunteers will converge on Embarcadero and Bay for graffiti clean up and other beautification. Volunteers noble enough to sacrifice their Saturday in the name of tourist revenue can apply here.
We seem to be long on views this week. Profiled in this morning's Chronicle, this three-bed, two-bath home near 14th and Lawton provides east-facing views from the Golden Gate Bridge to Sutro Tower, and everything in between-on sunny days, anyway. Still, fog or no fog, the property's second-floor living room and deck run the length of the house.
The property has exquisite views, granted, but we are not completely sold. Looking past the drab, battleship appearance of the exterior, the interior finishes and architecture show a bit dated, though better than their 53 years might indicate. On nice days, the Sunset is a truly gorgeous neighborhood, and we have always been outspoken in our support. That said, odds are good that it took the photographer a good many days to get the shot above. At $839,000, or $705 per foot for 1,190 square feet, someone apparently bit - the house was delisted July 7. Perhaps the two-car garage had a hand in it.
It's only Wednesday, and it is already a tough week for Planning Director John Rahaim. After yesterday's report of a departmental letter calling for his sacking, yesterday Matier & Ross reported that the embattled Rahaim will pay a $1,000 ethics fine for his acceptance of free temporary housing from the relative of an employee after some well publicized domestic issues in 2008. Rahaim also raised a few eyebrows when the same employee was promoted to Director of Neighborhood Planning shortly thereafter. While she may very well be the most qualified for the job, if it looks and sounds like a duck, it probably isn't a giraffe.
For those looking to rub elbows with the well-heeled denizens of Telegraph Hill, 468 Filbert Street offers a perfect opportunity. With 5 beds and 5.5 baths, the 5,440 square foot monster offers enough space for a bi-cornered couch. But wait, "is there enough room for my floor to ceiling collection of French wine?" Oh, rest your pretty little head. Originally listed at $5,495,000 in May, the property was reduced 9.1% in June to $4,995,000.
Loading comment form...
Today is proving to be a public arts-heavy day. According to the 
Earlier today, we posted about the 
The 
As if to soften the blow of this $1.6 billion behemoth, the SF Arts Commission is now soliciting feedback on public art proposals for the new Chinatown Station. Unsurprisingly, the submissions mostly play on the Chinese heritage of the community, telling the story of Chinese immigration, and highlighting various segments of Chinese culture. Also unsurprisingly, given the contentiousness of this project from the get-go, we are not impressed by what we have seen so far. As the 
When government agencies run into budget trouble, they are always tempted to sell off hard assets in order to meet budget shortfalls. Most recently, 
Over the next week, 
