Open House Obsession: Inside A Stanley Saitowitz Minimalist Penthouse, $2.9M

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Where: 8 Octavia Street, Hayes Valley
When: Sunday, July 15 2:30pm-4:30pm
Asking: $2,895,000
What: The 3-bed, 3-bath penthouse of 8 Octavia, one of architect Stanley Saitowitz’s most visually arresting structures, in a prime location at the intersection of the Octavia Corridor and Market Street. Built in 2014, it’s a gateway structure at the end of the 101.

Once upon a time (in the 1960s) the site overlooked a grim overpass and exit that led to another planned freeway going up Fell Street along Golden Gate Park. That never happened, thankfully. And while things move slowly in San Francisco, it was eventually demolished and became the Octavia Corridor, now a landscaped road and park leading into the heart of Hayes Valley. And Smitten Ice Cream, which is not exactly extraneous– the Corridor helped make Hayes Valley a global destination for food and design by calming traffic and giving the neighborhood some breathing room.

The facade is covered by moveable aluminum louvers to control sunlight, air circulation and views, eliminating the need for curtains. These aren’t just mere panels– they’re thick, elegantly curved, polished and tapered, giving everything inside a calming, celadon glow, but being moveable, create a completely random facade depending on the actions of the occupants, and a luminous glow at night.


Entry is across a walkway looking down through the structure, also serving as a light well for the two bedroom wings flanking it. Stairs lead to a deeded roof terrace– which is larger than the unit itself.

What We Love: The ceilings are cement sheets, finished to look cast in place, and the entire unit is a sublimely minimalist space, which the staging for sale does its best to combat. Below, acid-etched glass in the master suite, partitioning the open bath and dressing room.



More: Go to the property’s dedicated site for additional information, images and floor plans. Represented by Nina Hatvany at Pacific Union International. Below, one corner of the roof deck.