2160 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94109

The 2160 Van Ness Avenue building, located in the Nob Hill neighborhood, is a 3-story multi-family residential apartment building constructed in 1925, containing 17 units and classified as apartment 15 units or more. The property has undergone significant recent improvements, including a $29,700 fire alarm system upgrade completed in May 2024 to comply with current fire code requirements, and the addition of a new skincare business with associated accessible bathroom facilities on the ground floor at a cost of $125,000. These recent modifications were accompanied by comprehensive plumbing and electrical work, including the installation of new ADA-compliant facilities and various utility upgrades.

The building has a documented history of addressing safety concerns, having completed its mandatory soft-story retrofit requirements as a Tier 4 building. Fire safety compliance has been an ongoing focus, with multiple violations noted and subsequently abated between 2017 and 2023, including issues related to sleeping area requirements, sprinkler systems, and alarm systems. The property has experienced several maintenance and compliance challenges over the years, though many have been resolved through subsequent corrections.

Notable historical issues include a cluster of violations in 2007 concerning construction debris, window repairs, hall surface defects, and electrical issues in apartment #16. The building's rooftop has been maintained as a telecommunications site, with T-Mobile and other providers periodically upgrading their equipment, most recently in 2021 with significant infrastructure improvements. Recent complaints and violations have generally been promptly addressed, though a new complaint was filed in December 2024 regarding various installation and permit issues, which was subsequently marked as not active. The property has maintained its residential character while accommodating commercial modifications, with planning records showing various telecommunications and business-related approvals, including a current review status related to potential unapproved massage shop operations in a previously approved skincare product retail space.