1120 Union St, San Francisco, CA 94133

The 12-unit apartment building at 1120 Union Street in Russian Hill, owned by Sh Property Inc, is a 3-story structure built in 1914 that has undergone several significant safety upgrades in recent years. Most notably, the building achieved Soft Story compliance in 2023 following the installation of a new wet pipe sprinkler system in the basement storage area, though there is still an active complaint regarding non-compliance with tier III requirements filed in September 2019. Recent fire safety improvements include a December 2023 upgrade to the fire alarm system to comply with current codes, and there are recent fire violations in 2024 related to sprinkler maintenance and sleeping area requirements that are currently open.

The building has faced several maintenance challenges, particularly during 2022 when there were multiple complaints about heating system failures, with reports of no heat throughout the building during cold weather in February 2022. Previous violations from 2016 indicated issues with electrical wiring, window maintenance, and floor coverings, although most of these were abated by 2017. The property has undergone various infrastructure improvements over the years, including plumbing upgrades (new hot water boiler in 2022, backflow device replacement in 2020) and electrical work (installation of step lights in 2011, various apartment upgrades).

The building has a documented history of fire safety violations dating back to 2011, with the most recent being in December 2024 regarding sprinkler/standpipe systems. While many past violations have been resolved, the building has experienced recurring issues with heating systems, fire safety compliance, and maintenance of common areas, as evidenced by the frequency of complaints and permit activity over the years. Recent maintenance requests have primarily concerned external issues such as garbage collection, graffiti, and abandoned vehicles, suggesting that internal systems may be receiving more regular attention under current ownership.