675 Ofarrell St, San Francisco, CA 94109

The 25-unit, 2-story apartment building at 675 O'Farrell Street in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood, built in 1938, has undergone several significant improvements and faced multiple challenges over the past two decades. Most notably, there is an ongoing permit (202010136401, filed 2020) to add two new units in the basement, representing a substantial modification to the building's structure. The property has seen various renovation projects between 2016-2019, including unit upgrades, bathroom and kitchen renovations, electrical rewiring, and fire safety improvements.

A critical safety upgrade was completed in 2018 to address fire escape access and egress requirements, though concerns about legal exits persisted with a complaint filed in 2017. Recent building issues include an elevator complaint in 2023 regarding malfunctioning equipment and a shower door problem in 2021. The building's fire safety systems have been a recurring area of attention, with violations documented in 2024 related to sleeping area requirements and standpipe systems, following previous fire safety concerns in 2017, 2010, and 2009 involving alarm systems and multiple fire code violations.

Historical records show the building faced significant scrutiny in 2003 regarding fire safety and structural concerns, including questions about fire-rated materials, sprinkler systems, and unauthorized storage unit construction, though these violations were subsequently abated. The property's maintenance history shows regular attention to infrastructure needs, including roofing work in 2012, emergency fire panel replacement in 2010, and various plumbing and electrical upgrades. Recent 311 calls and complaints indicate ongoing external challenges in the area, particularly concerning sidewalk cleanliness and public space maintenance, though these are not directly related to building operations. The current planning application under review seeks to further adapt the building's use by creating additional dwelling units in the basement level, while recent fire violations from July 2024 indicate continuing compliance challenges with the building's fire safety systems.