Sold Stuff: We're happy to report that Russian...

× Like us and you'll find top breaking news in your Facebook newsfeed. Sign up for our daily email newsletter and get top stories and breaking news delivered to your inbox. Tuesday, March 27, 2012, by Sally Kuchar

We're happy to report that Russian Hill's glassy penthouse at 2739 Larkin Street has nailed down yet another sale. This will be the third owner since 2010. It first appeared on the market in October of 2010 with an asking price of $1,995,000. It sold later that month for $2,650,000 after a bidding war. Back again in April of 2011, this time asking $2,695,000. It sold for $2,725,000 in May. Less than six months later it was back on the market asking $2,895,000. Buyers, however, were tired of the constant price increase, so it sold today for $2,600,000. We sincerely hope to not see it back on the market for a few years. Enjoy the place, it's lovely. [Redfin/Curbed SF]

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On the Market: Russian Hill Three Bedroom Is Under $1M, Has Low HOA Dues (So What's the Problem?)

× Like us and you'll find top breaking news in your Facebook newsfeed. Sign up for our daily email newsletter and get top stories and breaking news delivered to your inbox. Friday, February 3, 2012, by Sally Kuchar We're sure you know that Russian Hill is home to some very pricey and exclusive real estate, so we were quite pleased to find this 3-bed, 1-bath, 1,360 square foot condo relisted today. Asking price? $725,000, or $533 per square foot. The neighborhood average is $715 per square. This unit has actually been on and off the market since October of 2011, and we'd love to hear your thoughts on why this place can't seem to score a buyer. A Redfin agent has visited the abode and the only negative feedback was that the "kitchen could use an update," which we're going to have to agree with. Readers, what do you think? Monthly HOA dues are a very low $191 and there's 1-car leased parking for $300.
· 864 Union [Redfin] 864 Union Street, San Francisco, CA

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Curbed Cup 2011: Curbed Cup Finals: (5) Lower Haight vs. (15) Russian Hill

× Like us and you'll find top breaking news in your Facebook newsfeed. Sign up for our daily email newsletter and get top stories and breaking news delivered to your inbox. Thursday, December 29, 2011, by Sally Kuchar

And now, the conclusion of the Curbed Cup, our annual award to the San Francisco neighborhood of the year. Because this is the most important decision of all time, the polls will be left open until noon, January 1. Let the final battle begin![Haight Shopping via Scott Cox/russian hill via Jason Rosete]

We've arrived at the moment we've all been waiting for: the final showdown of this year's Curbed Cup tournament. Our contenders are two well established neighborhoods, meaning no new nabes or microhoods made it to the final round. First we have the Lower Haight, fresh from a strong win over its neighbor Hayes Valley. What was the year like for the Lower Haight? Full of ups and downs. An amazing public mural was vandalized beyond recognition and a fire hit the center of the neighborhood at Haight and Fillmore. True to form, Lower Haighters have met these setbacks with a neighborhood spirit: getting together to clean up the mural and hosting fundraiser after fundraiser for victims of the fire. A classy bunch like that surely deserves your love.

The other possible neighborhood of the year is Russian Hill, which only just eked out a win over Bernal Heights in the Final Four. Russian Hill's the neighborhood for the 1%. It's got the bulk of what most people think is quintessential San Francisco: hills and views and vegetation. Also: very, very, very exclusive and pricey real estate. Tourists flock to it for its curvy street (yes, we're talking about Lombard) and epic cable car rides. Residents flock to it if they're comfortable with $2,500+ monthly HOA dues and being featured in the Nob Hill Gazette. So which neighborhood wins it all?

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On the Market: Obtain the "Greatest Luxuries" By Buying This Russian Hill Townhouse, Says Listing Agent

× Like us and you'll find top breaking news in your Facebook newsfeed. Sign up for our daily email newsletter and get top stories and breaking news delivered to your inbox. Thursday, September 8, 2011, by Sally Kuchar High atop Russian Hill is a 3-bed, 3.5-bath, 3,386-square-foot townhouse that is currently looking for a new owner. Asking price? A cool $4,950,000, or $1,462 per square foot. From the listing agent: "The homes at 955 Green are built on a single belief: fine architecture cultivates fine lives," so there's that. Monthly HOA dues are a vomit-inducing $2,010 and cover the water, garbage and grounds maintenance. There's 3-car parking in the garage.
· 955 Green, #4 [Redfin]

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Globe Trotting: Architects Decide to Build Russian Cathedral Next to Eiffel Tower

× Like us and you'll find top breaking news in your Facebook newsfeed. Sign up for our daily email newsletter and get top stories and breaking news delivered to your inbox. Monday, March 21, 2011, by Sarah Firshein

Renderings: Ameller & Dubois via Architizer

In a completely baffling move, officials from France—including French President Nicolas Sarkozy himseld—have decided let Russia bring a little Moscow to the City of Light by approving plans for a new structure that hints—but only a teeny, tiny bit—at Russia. Happening right now: the development of a new Russian Orthodox cathedral and cultural center that claimed an open plot of land beside the Eiffel Tower in an international design competition. The complex, from SADE-Arch Group, has to convince the city that it "fits into its surroundings and is built to last" in order for it to actually come to fruition. Which may be tough, considering it has five onion domes reaching higher than 88 feet. And remember, Parisians are hostile even against Gehry.

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