1611-1615 Clay St, San Francisco, CA 94109

The 12-unit, 3-story apartment building at 1611-1615 Clay Street in Nob Hill, constructed in 1906, has undergone several significant seismic safety improvements over the past decade. Most notably, the building completed its mandatory Soft Story Retrofit Program as a Tier 3 participant in 2017, which included installation of new shear walls, though there was initially some non-compliance issues in 2014 that resulted in violations. Recent safety upgrades are underway, including a comprehensive fire alarm system replacement in 2024 costing over $40,000 to meet current fire code requirements, along with updates to smoke detectors, manual pulls, and horn strobes throughout the building.

The building has a history of fire-related incidents, primarily involving cooking fires and false alarms, though there have been no civilian injuries reported in any of these events. The property has undergone various infrastructure improvements, including voluntary foundation strengthening in 2010 and multiple electrical system upgrades between 2006-2010, though some electrical permits have expired without completion. Earlier building violations from 2001 required attention to security features, window repairs, fire escape maintenance, and fire enclosure doors, all of which are no longer active.

More recently, there has been a pattern of reported issues regarding garbage and debris on the property and surrounding area, with multiple 311 calls in late 2024. The building's heating system has experienced maintenance issues in the past, with a notable complaint about broken steam heat in 2010, though this was resolved promptly. Regular fire safety inspections have identified various issues over the years, including concerns with extinguishers and sprinkler systems, though most have been promptly corrected. The most recent inspection of common areas in 2024 had an open status, though it is not currently active.