635 Ellis St, San Francisco, CA 94109

The 4-story, 18-unit apartment building at 635 Ellis Street in the Tenderloin, constructed in 1914, has undergone numerous renovations and faced several significant issues over the past decade. Most notably, there is currently an open fire violation from December 2023 regarding sleeping area requirements that requires attention. The building has seen substantial improvements to its safety systems, including a major fire alarm system upgrade in 2021 that met current code requirements, though there have been recurring fire alarm system complaints dating back to 2012.

The property has experienced various maintenance challenges, including serious water intrusion problems in early 2020 that led to unauthorized construction work requiring multiple permits for proper remediation, and a troubling mold incident in 2022 that reportedly affected resident health. Recent improvements have focused largely on unit upgrades, with multiple apartments receiving kitchen and bathroom renovations between 2013 and 2021, including unit #1 in 2021 and unit #403 in 2020. The building's infrastructure has also seen significant work, including a sewer lateral replacement in 2021 and various plumbing upgrades.

Historical records reveal past building violations from 2000-2012 related to various maintenance issues, including rodent infestation, staircase repairs, and fire safety concerns, though these were all marked as abated by 2013. While the property has undergone regular maintenance and improvements, the recent fire safety violation and historical pattern of water-related issues suggest ongoing infrastructure challenges. The building's location in the Tenderloin neighborhood has been subject to typical urban challenges as evidenced by recent 311 calls regarding street cleaning and lighting, though these are external to the building itself.