1547-1549 Powell St, San Francisco, CA 94133

The two-story multi-family residential building at 1547-1549 Powell Street in North Beach, owned by Gim Soo & May Yung Ma Wong, has a significant history, particularly relating to a serious fire incident in 2011. Constructed in 1907 and classified as a Flats & Duplex, this property experienced substantial fire damage in April 2011, with subsequent repairs and improvements undertaken throughout that summer. The restoration work included comprehensive rebuilding of fire-damaged walls and ceilings using fire-rated materials, complete replacement of bathrooms and kitchens, addition of new half-baths on the first and second floors, replacement of various mechanical systems including fireplaces, furnaces, hot water heaters, and structural work including foundation repairs.

The basement was significantly modified, with the addition of two bedrooms, a half bath, and a wet bar, along with partial seismic strengthening work. The fire damage repairs alone amounted to approximately $65,000, while the basement improvements added another $35,000 to the total renovation costs. More recent history of the building includes a sewer line replacement in 2014 and minor maintenance work, though no significant structural issues have been reported since the 2011 renovations.

The property experienced one electrical incident prior to the fire, with a complaint in April 2011 regarding wiring in the second-floor bathroom that allegedly caused a fire, and which also raised concerns about potential unauthorized unit modifications; however, this complaint was marked as not active shortly thereafter. The only recent complaint on record is a noise-related issue filed through 311 in September 2023, which was directed to SFPD for handling. All repairs and improvements following the 2011 fire have been properly documented and completed, including electrical service upgrades and plumbing modifications to incorporate the new bathrooms and bar facilities.