701-709 Union St, San Francisco, CA 94133

The three-story, 9-unit multi-family residential building at 701-709 Union Street in North Beach, built in 1924, has undergone several significant improvements and faced various maintenance challenges over recent years. Most notably, there is currently an active permit filed in August 2023 for a fire system replacement and mandatory low frequency horn upgrade to meet 2022 fire code requirements. The building has seen substantial renovation work in recent years, including a $130,000 ground floor tenant improvement project in 2021, and comprehensive unit renovations in 2020 including plumbing, electrical, and interior improvements in units 1 and 3. Critical infrastructure upgrades include water line replacements in 2022, a new boiler installation in 2020, and soft-story seismic retrofitting which has been completed with a Certificate of Final Completion issued.

The property has experienced several maintenance and compliance issues over the years, particularly regarding heating systems, with multiple complaints about inadequate heat between 2016 and 2018, and a March 2023 complaint about no heat that has since been closed. There were significant concerns about lead paint hazards in 2006, which were resolved, and a 2019 complaint regarding a loose fire escape that was addressed. The building has also faced challenges with building systems, including multiple fire system violations between 2009 and 2021 related to blocked exits and alarm systems, though all have been marked as corrected. Recent complaints from 2020 indicate concerns about construction work during health lockdowns, though these were eventually closed.

Planning records show various approved uses, including a full-service restaurant establishment, and the property has maintained active compliance with soft-story retrofit requirements. A current active complaint from December 2024 regarding boiler permit renewal is under investigation by the Plumbing Inspection Division. The building's maintenance history shows consistent attention to required repairs and upgrades, though there have been notable recurring issues with the heating system and periodic fire safety concerns. The property's location, ownership by Union Alliance Group LLC, and its mix of residential and commercial spaces have influenced its maintenance and improvement patterns over the years. Recent records indicate ongoing attention to building systems, with active permits showing regular updates to fire safety equipment and infrastructure.