Open House Report, SF Edition: Celebrate San Francisco’s Diversity With Three Very Different (But Stylish) Houses
Author:Philip FerratoTake a look at these three very different ways to live in San Francisco– a renovated Edwardian in SOMA, a romantic Victorian cottage in Dolores Heights, and a modest Norman Style stucco house in Forest Hill– all open on Sunday, June 24.
1163/65 Harrison Street, SOMA, $875K (above)
Full disclosure: I’ve driven past this c. 1910 house thousands of times and never noticed it. It’s on a busy stretch of Harrison Street (in the same block as Fedex) and across the street from the old San Francisco Galvanizing Works, one of my favorite Art Deco buildings and a reminder of when SOMA was full of small manufacturers.
One of only two residential properties on the block, the 3-bed, 2-bath house is actually a 2-unit building although long used as one, and it’s been rehabbed with a light hand and simple materials— and beautifully staged. We like the mix of Edwardian and modern, plus the two-level outdoor space with the upper part off the kitchen walled off from freeway noise. The long el-shape of the house filters light into the interior, and there’s a garage on the alley behind the house. It’s been on the market for about five weeks and recently took a price cut of $50K. For more full-on BoHo chic, check out the realtor’s dedicated site. Open Sunday, June 24 from 2 to 4 p.m.
3731 20th Street, Dolores Heights, $1.639M (above and below)
Possibly one of the most expensive 2-bedroom houses on the market, this dreamy Victorian cottage is also in one the Mission’s best locations, between Dolores and Guerrero Streets near the park and the all that great food on 18th Street, plus all the shuttle buses going down the Peninsula to places like Google. Another house re-worked with a light hand, there’s 1-bed, 1-bath on the main floor— the master suite on the second floor has a deck overlooking the garden— and the kitchen and dining room both open to the garden. Open Sunday, June 24 from 2 to 4 p.m.
191 Edgehill Way, Forest Hill Extension, $939K (above)
The owners of this house could have gone heavy on the charm, instead they renovated it more like a boutique hotel, giving the 3-bed, 2.5-bath an open, sophisticated feel. Taking advantage of the steep lot, it’s basically another version of the suburban split level, with a wide-open living/dining/kitchen on the lower level and bedrooms above, connected by the street-level foyer. There are great views filtered by old cypress trees and you’d be hard-pressed to find a quieter street— the charming neighborhood was developed in the ’20s and is full of quirky houses like this one in historic styles along with interesting Mid-Century infill. Open Sunday, June 24 from 2 to 4 p.m.
