259-261 Cervantes Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94123

The three-unit residential building at 259-261 Cervantes Blvd, owned by Darrell S. Benatar, is a three-story flats and duplex structure built in 1925 located in the Marina neighborhood. The property has undergone several significant renovations in recent years, including substantial upgrades to units 259 and 263 in 2018-2019, featuring kitchen and bathroom remodels, electrical upgrades, and the addition of modern amenities like washer/dryer outlets and smoke detectors.

The building's historical records show notable improvements from the late 1980s, including a fire escape installation and modifications to the wooden stairway and deck. However, a serious active building violation from June 2017 raises significant concerns about the property, alleging unauthorized modifications that expanded the building to four floors of occupancy with multiple safety issues, including improper fire separation, egress problems, and missing smoke detection systems. In addition to the 2017 violation, the building has experienced various maintenance and safety issues that were documented but subsequently resolved, including fire safety concerns, interior surface maintenance needs, and security requirements related to self-closing doors.

Recent history shows persistent parking enforcement issues in the vicinity, with multiple 311 calls regarding sidewalk parking between 2024 and 2023, though these are external to the building itself. The property underwent a tenant buyout in December 2017 for $20,600, affecting one tenant, and there has been a recorded carbon monoxide detector activation incident that was investigated with no CO detected. The building's maintenance history shows regular upkeep, including a reroofing project completed in 2003, though the nature of the recent unauthorized modifications alleged in the 2017 violation is particularly concerning given the apparent safety implications.