684 Ellis St, San Francisco, CA 94109

The 7-story, 84-unit Hotel Essex, located at 684 Ellis St in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood and owned by Hotel Essex Lp, has experienced significant maintenance and habitability issues in recent years. Most notably, there are multiple active complaints from 2024 regarding unaddressed maintenance requests, including a broken microwave unit, and security gate compliance issues. A recent series of plumbing problems and flooding incidents between 2023-2024 suggest ongoing water damage and maintenance challenges, with reports of compromised ceilings and water-related hazards, including mold.

The building, dating back to 1913, underwent a conversion from 49 tourist rooms and 59 residential hotel rooms to 84 dwelling units, with various improvements including window replacements and ADA upgrades. The property has a documented history of fire safety concerns, with multiple fire code violations and alarms recorded between 2018-2025. Recent fire violations include an open sleeping area requirements issue from November 2023, though many previous violations have been abated.

The building's mechanical systems have received attention, with recent permits showing work on security gates, ADA bathroom upgrades, and window replacements. Infrastructure improvements include a new hot water boiler installation in early 2025, though persistent maintenance issues suggest ongoing challenges with building systems. The property has experienced repeated issues with water damage, interior surface maintenance, and plumbing systems, with multiple complaints about leaks, flooding, and associated damage to both common areas and individual units.