1853 Chestnut St, San Francisco, CA 94123

The two-unit residential building at 1853 Chestnut Street in the Marina District, owned by Thomas J. Canevari, is a two-story flats and duplex structure built in 1932.

The property has a significant history of unauthorized modifications and code compliance issues, most notably documented in a 2005 housing complaint (still active as of October 2023) that detailed serious safety concerns including lack of proper egress, fire-rated construction, smoke detection systems, and evidence of water damage and mold from unauthorized fourth-floor modifications. The building's documented permit history shows attempts to address these issues, including a 2019 completion of work to revert to last permitted use and a 2012 filing to legalize a sunroom, as well as previous legitimate improvements from the 1980s including a new deck and bathroom addition.

Historical permits also show roof work completed in 1993, though records indicate this permit expired. The building's recent history (2021-2024) has primarily involved external issues such as sidewalk and parking concerns, with multiple 311 calls for various urban issues in the surrounding area, though these are not directly related to the building's structural or safety conditions. Planning records from 2021-2023 indicate several inquiries about the property, including a screening for unauthorized unit presence which found none, and a cancelled feasibility study for new residential unit construction.