Open House Report, SF: Architect Julia Morgan's House and Office, Open Sunday in Pacific Heights

Julia Morgan is probably best known for one thing— wrangling the whims, ambitions and shopping sprees of William Randolph Hearst into San Simeon– but she's also responsible for more than 700 buildings in a career that started before the 1906 earthquake. In the 1920's, Morgan combined these two houses in Pacific Heights for her office, residence, plus apartments for staff.

2225/2229 Divisadero Street, Pacific Heights
Morgan bought the 1870s carpenter-built Italianate houses in 1923 and 1929, joining the two buildings on the first floor, and in one grand gesture, knocked the second floor off 2225 to allow light into the pair of top-floor apartments in 2229. The two buildings are being offered separately, 2225 as a 2-bed, 2-bath single-family residence for $1.49M and 2229 as a 3-unit multiple residence for $1.649M.

Nothing like the extravagant San Simeon, Morgan's spaces are simple, open, and minimally— but beautifully— detailed. 

Although the rear gardens were never combined, on the street side there's a two-car garage and the two front gardens have been joined with a low retaining wall. On the market for the first time since 1957– and for years well-maintained rentals— three are vacant, plus one protected tenant. Morgan's office/atelier was in the 1-story 2225, and while the connection between the buildings has been sealed off, it can still be detected through a what is now a closet. Have a look at the realtor's dedicated sites—2225 Divisadero Street and 2229 Divisadero Street. Open Sunday, April 8 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm.