656 Ofarrell St, San Francisco, CA 94109

The 17-unit, 4-story apartment building at 656 Ofarrell Street, owned by Boschetti Giampaolo and dating from 1916, has experienced several significant safety and maintenance issues in recent years. Most notably, the building suffered fire damage in March 2023 affecting unit 401, with subsequent drywall, cabinet, and flooring repairs permitted at a cost of $150,000 in September 2023.

More recently, between December 2024 and January 2025, there have been active complaints regarding smoke/carbon monoxide detector compliance, fire escape maintenance, and storage issues, as well as concerns about the building's exterior conditions including broken windows with glass falling onto sidewalks. The building has a documented history of fire safety system challenges, with multiple violations issued in 2024 related to sprinkler systems, standpipes, and alarm systems, though some have been resolved through proper maintenance. A significant renovation to the fire alarm system was initiated in late 2024, with permits showing work to comply with current fire code requirements and install low-frequency sounders in sleeping areas.

The property has undergone several important infrastructure updates over its lifetime, including seismic retrofitting in 1996 (completed at a cost of $84,000) and the installation of a new steam boiler in 2011. Historical data shows various maintenance issues have been addressed over time, including a notable series of building violations in 2016 that required attention to fire safety, building safety, and sanitation concerns, though these were abated by December 2016. More recent 311 calls indicate ongoing challenges with graffiti and encampments near the property, with multiple reports between late 2024 and early 2025, though many of these cases were unable to be resolved or documented properly.