Engmann says he'll miss entertaining at the gigantic manse, which can "easily accommodate 500 guests and a band for a reception or 100 friends at an Easter-egg hunt." Fun fact: the home played host to the 1984 Decorator's Showcase. Property highlights include (everything) a gorgeous solarium that has a koi pond, and a "formal sunken garden that the family used as a volleyball court when their children were young." The carriage house also doubles as a game room and a gazebo.
· Santa Monica Compound Lists for $18.8 Million (last item) [WSJ]
· PACIFIC HEIGHTS MANSION FOR $30 MILLION [SF LUXE]
· 2724 Pacific [Steve Gothelf]
Sunday, December 2, 2012
On the Market: Pacific Heights Mansion Lists for $30M, is San Francisco's Second Most Expensive Home for Sale
Thursday, October 4, 2012
On the Market: Pacific Heights Manse Seeks Victorian Enthusiast and $5.5M
· 2053 Vallejo [Redfin]
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Lawsuit Against Gun Club: Celebration for the Pacific Rod and...
? Previous: Lounging and Reading at Pac Heights' Clay Street Mini Park
? Next: Pacific Heights Manse Seeks Victorian Enthusiast and $5.5M
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Top 10: Top Ten Least Expensive Properties For Sale in Pacific Heights
Today we'll be zeroing in on properties in Pacific Heights. Per realtor standards, the neighborhood's boundaries are Union and California Streets and Van Ness Avenue and Presidio Avenue/Lyon Street. Without further ado, the top ten least expensive properties currently for sale in Pacific Heights.
10) 1835 Franklin Street, #201
Asking price: $899,000
Size: 2-bed, 2-bath, 1,612-square-feet
Price per square foot: $558
The skinny: This condo's currently being rented for $4,500 a month, and the lease ends in mid-September. The floorplan shows us (you can click the above link to be taken to this condo's photo gallery) that there's ample storage and a large terrace. Monthly HOA dues are $1,165 and covers all utilities, 24-hour doorman, insurance, and maintenance. There's 1-car parking in the garage.
9) 3110 California Street, Unit 3B
Asking price: $890,000
Size: 2-bed, 2-bath, 1,086-square-feet
Price per square foot: $820
The skinny: This unit last sold in late 2007 for $978,000. The building was built in 2004. Monthly HOA dues are $660 and the parking situation is unclear.
8) 1856 Franklin Street, #6
Asking price: $849,000
Size: 3-bed, 2-bath, 1,251-square-feet
Price per square foot: 679
The skinny: Be forewarned, this very lovely unit's a TIC, so the buying process is different from a normal property. It's a top floor unit in a 8-unit building. It's also hacked off $100,000 from its asking price. Monthly HOA dues are $276 and there's 1-car tandem parking in the garage. We should note that there's an "additional parking space available."
7) 2801 Jackson Street, #301
Asking price: $799,000
Size: 1-bed, 1-bath, 1,139-square-feet
Price per square foot: $701
The skinny: This top floor condo has a ton of character. We're seriously loving the marble fireplace. We're not loving the common laundry. Monthly HOA dues are $650 and there's 1-car parking.
6) 1865 Franklin, #5
Asking price: $799,000
Size: 3-bed, 2-bath, 1,276-square-feet
Price per square foot: $626
The skinny: Another TIC unit at 1856 Franklin. Monthly HOA dues are $280 and there's 1-car tandem parking. Like the above listing, this one speaks of "additional parking space" availability.
5) 2200 Pacific Avenue, Unit 5B
Asking price: $788,000
Size: 1-bed, 1.5-bath, unlisted square footage
Price per square foot: Unavailable
The skinny: This unit's in a building with an amenity we're quite fond of; a rooftop pool. There's also a doorman. The unfortunate: coin operated laundry facility. Monthly HOA dues are $938 and there's 1-car parking in the garage.
4) 2106 Jackson Street, #1
Asking price: $749,000
Size: 1-bed, 1-bath, 1,062-square-feet
Price per square foot: $705
The skinny: This is easily the most fancy one condo to make it on to today's list. We're talking beamed ceiling, ornate mouldings, marble countertops in the kitchen, and a very sexy black bedroom. We should also point out that there's a deeded storage space that's currently floor-to-ceiling wine racks. The only "what, huh?" is that the elevator is located in the kitchen. Monthly HOA dues are $836 and thee's 1-car parking.
3) 2051 Scott Street, #101
Asking price: $499,000
Size: 1-bed, 1-bath, unlisted square footage
Price per square foot: Unavailable
The skinny: This ground floor condo is the first on the list to make it into our prestigious Under 500K Club. The condo's recently underwent a little bit of work; the hardwood floors have been refinished and the every wall has been painted. It's 1 block from Alta Plaza Park. Monthly HOA dues are $300 and there's no mention of parking.
2) 2040 Franklin Street, #506
Asking price: $395,000
Size: studio, 1-bath, unlisted square footage
Price per square foot: Unavailable
The skinny: This is the first studio to make an appearance on this list. There's a significantly large private terrace with views of Russian Hill. Monthly HOA dues are $535 and there's 1-car parking in the garage.
1) 1963 Clay Street, unit A
Asking price: $359,700
Size: Studio, 1-bath, 497-square-feet
Price per square foot: $724
The skinny: This unit was foreclosed on and bank-owned in April. It's got a private entry "to the left of the garage leads into the vestibule, which leads to the lovely landscaped rear yard and unit A front door." Monthly HOA dues are $167 and there's no mention of parking.
Monday, March 5, 2012
On the Market: Opulent and Contemporary Pacific Heights Manse Hits the MLS
· 2828 Jackson [Redfin]
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Real Estate Almost Sold: Pacific Heights: Handsome Victorian Takes $650K Off the Top, Maybe, Almost
Whew, that was fast. Maybe. Paneled, beamed, and wainscoted, 2500 Broadway, the 6-bed, 5-bath house at the corner of Pierce and Broadway went "pending" after a day on the MLS. Which isn't technically correct. It had been originally listed at $9,500,000 on September 16, briefly price-chopped and then de-listed on December 21 (presumably a holiday break) before reappearing on January 16, 2012, then de-listed on January 30, and re-listed January 31 as pending at $8,850,000. Makes one's head spin. But then, so do the grand c.1890s interiors and great views, wrapped up in a wood house designed and painted to look "half-timbered," a picturesque Victorian motif we don't often see in San Francisco. At some point in its past the house acquired an elevator and a garage was converted to a sound studio, plus there's another 2-car garage under a terrace on Pierce Street.
· Multi-Millions on a Monday [The Front Steps]
· 2500 Broadway [Redfin]
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Top 10: The 10 Least Expensive Properties For Sale in Pacific Heights
Since the comings and goings of residential real estate significantly slows in December, this will be our last "10 Least Expensive Properties For Sale" in any given neighborhood post of the year. We've enjoyed searching the listings to bring you these weekly lists, and we hope you've enjoyed reading them. Have a neighborhood you'd like us to highlight in 2012? Shoot us an email or let us know in the comments. Onwards!
Today we'll be zeroing in o properties in Pacific Heights. Per realtor standards, the neighborhood's boundaries are Union and California Streets and Van Ness Avenue and Presidio Avenue/Lyon Street. Without further ado, Pacific Height's ten cheapest on the market abodes.
10) 2880 Jackson
Asking Price: $649,000
Square Feet: Unlisted
Price Per Square Foot: Unlisted
The Skinny: This 3-bed, 1-bath apartment's listing is a bit wonky. No square footage or apartment number listed and only an exterior photo. The building's a co-op, so you'll need full board approval before you can write a check for the place. Parking's not included and there are quarterly HOA does of $1,200.
9) 2121 Laguna, #2
Asking Price: $619,000
Square Feet: 650
Price Per Square Foot: $825
The Skinny: Listed in October and less than a month later its sale is already pending. This 1-bed, 1-bath condo's price per square foot is twenty bucks below the neighborhood average, which is a real deal if you consider its location. The condo faces Lafayette Park. Not a terrible front yard to have. There's 1-car parking in the garage and monthly HOA dues are $554.
8) 2295 Vallejo, #103
Asking Price: $615,000
Square Feet: 765
Price Per Square Foot: $804
The Skinny: This 1-bed, 1-bath ground floor condo offers up views of both the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge. The condo recently underwent a renovation that included installing hardwood floors in areas of the main room and updating the kitchen's appliances. The unit's directly across the hall from the club room, sauna and gym. There's 1-car parking and monthly HOA dues are $423.50.
7) 1701 Jackson, #302
Asking Price: $569,000
Square Feet: 743
Price Per Square Foot: $766
The Skinny: This building was built in 2001, so it's only ten years old. This 1-bed, 1-bath unit has "$25,000 in upgrades!" We're talking cherry cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, etc. There's also a private balcony. There's 1-car parking in the garage and monthly HOA dues are $586.73.
6) 2359 Jackson, #4
Asking Price: $564,000
Square Feet: Unlisted
Price Per Square Foot: Unlisted
The Skinny: This is the first Victorian to make it onto Pacific Height's list. And hey, it was built in 1895 so we're talking some good pedigree. As expected, this 1-bed, 1-bath condo has high ceilings and period details. The shared backyard has a brick terrace with lemon trees. Monthly HOA dues are $353.
5) 2051 Scott, #401
Asking Price: $550,000
Square Feet: 748
Price Per Square Foot: $735
The Skinny: We're seriously swooning over this top floor corner unit. It's a 1-bed, 1-bath condo that has a huge dining room, complete with bay windows. Monthly HOA dues are a low $250 and parking isn't included.
4) 2121 Laguna, #4
Asking Price: $539,000
Square Feet: 640
Price Per Square Foot: $842
The Skinny: This 1-bed, 1-bath condo has some upgrades like walnut flooring, stone countertops, plantation shutters and Japanese sliding shades. We should point out that Lafayette Park is directly across the street. Monthly HOA dues are $518.55 and there's 1-car parking in the garage.
3) 2839 Pierce, #1
Asking Price: $539,000
Square Feet: 720
Price Per Square Foot: $746
The Skinny: This 1-bed, 1-bath unit has been on the market since April of 2010. Chop after chop, not a single offer. Until November, that is. Its sale is currently pending. Monthly HOA dues are an extremely low $190.66 and there's 1-car parking.
2) 1177 California, #830
Asking Price: $448,000
Square Feet: 656
Price Per Square Foot: $683
The Skinny: Finally, a member of the Under 500K Club makes it onto the list. This is also the first appearance of a studio. Located in the Gramercy Towers, this junior condo has access to all the building's amenities, including a heated indoor pool and 24-hour doorman. Monthly HOA dues are a mind-blowing $830.10 and there's 1-car parking in the garage.
1) 1800 Washington, #314
Asking Price: $279,000
Square Feet: 476
Price Per Square Foot: $586
The Skinny: This studio condo has many strings attached. It's a below market rate unit. Meaning, you must be a 1st time homebuyer and income eligible. That means the maximum income one person can make is $104.400 and two people is $119,250. You must also have your homebuyer education certification/proof of class registration. Monthly HOA dues are 544.74 and there's 2-car parking in the garage.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
PriceChopper: Pacific Heights Mansion Wants Your Chump Change
Now: $8,600,000
You Save: $900,000
We first told you about 2209 Pacific in Pacific Heights back in July when it was listed for the mind-numbingly low and completely obtainable price of $9,500,000. As you may recall, the home was last sold in 2005 for $5,150,000. The current owner(s) wasted no time sinking tons of green into the property, and spent two years expanding the home and bringing "the property into the 21st century while maintaining its architectural heritage." The deets: it's a 3-bed, 7-bath, 5,900-square-foot Beaux-Arts mansion that was designed in 1915 by Arthur Brown Jr., who is best known for such San Francisco landmarks as City Hall, Coit Tower and the War Memorial Opera House. Property highlights include an elevator, renovated kitchen, private theater, au pair room and wine cellar. Readers, what'll it take for this manse to find a buyer?
· Pacific Heights Home Seeks Well-Heeled Buyer [Curbed SF]
· 2209 Pacific [Redfin]
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
PriceChopper: Very Fancy Pacific Heights Penthouse Hacks More Than a Quarter Million Off
Now: $4,900,000
You Save: $350,000
Oh dear. The penthouse atop 1800 Gough has just taken a significant price chop: $350,000. This 4-bed, 4.5-bath, 5,209-square-foot, two-story penthouse is a prime piece of real estate tail. The building was designed by San Francisco favorite Conrad Alfred Meussdorffer and was built in 1923. It's a co-op, so bust out grandma's pearls and put on something nice; the board is not going to approve your application to write them a check for millions of dollars if you don't look the part. The penthouse has everything you could ever ask for, including an au pair room (that's currently being used as a work-out room). Oh, and there's monthly HOA dues of $1,900 but who cares, right? You're about to spend close to five million bucks on an apartment. Dear readers, will this beauty finally sell? Or should we expect another chop?
· 1800 Gough [Redfin]
· Let's Take a Look at Some Swank Penthouses [Curbed SF]
· Prime, Pristine and Pedigree for Pacific Heights Penthouse [Curbed SF]
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Under 500K Club: Pacific Heights Pied-à-Terre
· 2114 Baker #1 [Redfin]
· Under 500K Club [Curbed SF archives]
Friday, May 27, 2011
Billionaire's Row: Pacific Heights: Woodman, Spare That View-Blocking Tree

[Photo Credit: Curbed SF]
More drama in the battle between upslope Larry Ellison and downslope Jane and Bernard von Bothmer and their view-blocking trees. Yesterday the Urban Forestry Council's Landmark Tree Committee recommended that the von Bothmer's offending Acacia Melanoxylon be given landmark status. No mention of the von Bothmer's overly-enthusiastic redwoods, but the full Council will vote on the acacia on May 27th. Much back-and-forth, including dueling arborists, over the tree's provenance- was the garden designed by Thomas Church?- and habitat, with the acacia's being much loved by hummingbirds and red-tailed hawks, as well as humans. One arborist (Ellison's, of course) sniffed that the owners irreparably damaged the tree when they put in a swimming pool next to it. The huge tree is well over eighty years old; acacias were imported along with eucalyptus from Australia as ornamentals in the early 20th century. They're also classified as invasive, but that's a garden path we'll stay off for now, plus we know there's a "we all should have such problems" joke in here somewhere.
· Pacific Heights: Birds Gotta Fly... Rich People Fight [Curbed SF]
· Meeting Agenda, 5-10-11 [Urban Forestry Council]
· Woodman, Spare That Tree (full text) [Bartleby]
Monday, May 2, 2011
Real Estate Sold: Pacific Heights Beauty Gets Above Asking
We're happy to report that the truly gorgeous 1745 Vallejo recently sold for above asking. As you may recall, in late March of this year the Pacific Heights beauty was put on the market asking $1,998,000. Shoot forward less than a month and it's already found itself a new owner. The detached Arts & Crafts 3-bed, 2.5-bath, 2,831-square-foot condo sold for $2,135,000, or $137,000 above asking. Congrats to the lucky seller and buyer! Do invite us over for dinner.
· Pacific Heights Stunner Graces the MLS [Curbed SF]
· 1745 Vallejo [Redfin]
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Open House Report: Weekend Open House Report: Pacific Heights Edition
This week's selection of open houses for your weekend browsing pleasure are all big and fancy (and expensive) homes within the Pacific Heights neighborhood.
Location: 2460 Broadway Street, Pacific Heights
Size: 4-bed, 4.5-bath; 3,676-square feet
Price: $3,450,000
Pitch: "Sweeping Views from Three Levels! Sophisticated urban dweller's dream home on the flat block of Broadway between Pierce and Steiner. Walk to Fillmore, Union, and Chestnut Streets, Alta Plaza Park, and private schools."
Our Take: Designed by San Francisco architect Frederick Boese means it has some pedigree. Monthly HOA dues are $750.
Open House: Sunday, 2 to 4pm
Location: 2010 Lyon Street, Pacific Heights
Size: 5-bed, 4.5-bath; 3,956-square feet
Price: $3,375,000
Pitch: Located on a quiet tree-lined street, the house is a short walk to many neighborhood parks, shops, & schools. The gourmet kitchen features a casual dining area and access to the deck and private garden through double French doors. The large dining room enjoys views of the garden and the living room has huge bay windows. A bath and media room complete the main living floor."
Our Take: There's a 600+ bottle wine cellar that is very, very fancy. We would spend all our time in that cellar.
Open House: Sunday, 2 to 4pm
Location: 3110 California Street, #5, Pacific Heights
Size: 4-bed, 3-bath; 2,319-square feet
Price: $1,950,000
Pitch: "Exquisite View Penthouse with sunny South and East exposure - Grand Scale living on one level with exclusive elevator access. Stunning architectural details."
Our Take: Built in 2004, this is the least stunning out of the bunch. But hey! It's also millions of dollars less. The roof deck is wind-protected, so you can actually host a BBQ.
Open House: Sunday, 2 to 4pm
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Pacific Heights
Ever a had neighbor from hell? You know, the one who never cleans, makes too much noise at night with his jigsaw, and breeds cockroaches and pumps them into your apartment? Never have? Well, pump up your paranoia with this outlandish if mildly enjoyable thriller starring Melanie Griffith and Matthew Modine as San Francisco yuppies-cum-landlords who rent out an apartment in their Pacific Heights house to mild-mannered Michael Keaton in order to make the mortgage payment. What seems like a happy arrangement all around turns hellish when: (a) Keaton refuses to pay the rent; (b) firmly entrenches himself in the apartment thanks to some legal maneuvering; and (c) starts playing with the cockroaches. Ostensibly, Keaton wants to drive Griffith and Modine to bankruptcy and then pick up their fab Victorian house for cheap, but as is the way of all thrillers, he's got a sadistic and homicidal bent to back up his real-estate envy. Director John Schlesinger (Midnight Cowboy) manipulates the thrills somewhat effectively, if not gratuitously, especially with Griffith's damsel-in-distress character, turning on the tension in the don't-go-to-the-attic/garage/basement set pieces. Part of the problem of the film lies in its schizophrenic tone: one moment it's a what's-in-the-dark? thriller, at other times a nifty cat-and-mouse game of psychological wills between Keaton and his landlords. Both sides of the movie are effective in their own right, and Keaton is a great psycho, but Schlesinger doesn't quite bring it together, despite a considerably amped-up climax. Still, if the sight of a beautiful house being slowly destroyed is your idea of the ultimate horror, you'll be chilled to the bone. Look for Griffith's mother, Tippi Hedren of The Birds fame, in a small role. --Mark Englehart Price: $9.98
Monday, January 24, 2011
On the Market: Who Needs Paris? Here's a Slice of Impressionism on the Pacific.
Well, one certainly can't accuse the folks who decorated this bedroom—presumably the sellers and/or their hired interior designer—for being lazy. There's this floor-to-ceiling painting fun, of course, not to mention a dining room that boasts not one but three long banquet tables. The madness has just been price-slashed to $11.95M, report our cousins over at Curbed SF. Which comes out to approximately $50 per cloud.
· A Little Off the Clouds: Bel-Air Monet Room Drops Again [Curbed LA]
· 3121 ANTELO Rd [Redfin]