501-543 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133

The 32-unit, 3-story multi-family residential building at 501-543 Columbus Avenue in North Beach, owned by 501 Columbus LLC, was constructed in 1907 and has undergone numerous significant renovations and maintenance work over the past few years. Most notably, there have been recent serious maintenance issues, with two significant tenant complaints filed in late 2024 regarding lack of heat and power (December 2024) and ceiling collapse with water leakage (November 2024). The building has completed several major improvements, including ADA compliance updates, plumbing and electrical upgrades, and a substantial re-roofing project in 2022 costing $52,000.

A concerning pattern emerged in 2024-2025 with multiple tenant complaints regarding basic services, including heat and water systems. The building is classified as a "Soft Story" structure, having completed its Tier 4 requirements, and has had some fire safety violations that were subsequently corrected. Recent building improvements (2022-2023) include the installation of ADA bathrooms, electrical systems upgrades, and various plumbing works, though there have been several cancelled or expired permits that indicate some work may have been deferred.

The property underwent a significant commercial space transformation in 2021-2022, including the addition of a barber shop, with associated signage and utility upgrades. Historical maintenance records show previous issues with fire safety systems and building access requirements, though these have been generally addressed. The building's recent inspection history shows periodic fire alarm system issues and violations related to sleeping area requirements, which remain open as of November 2023. The property has a history of 311 calls regarding various maintenance and infrastructure issues in the surrounding area, including tree maintenance, sidewalk defects, and street repairs, with several cases still marked as "Open accepted."