1856 Franklin St, San Francisco, CA 94109

The four-story TIC building at 1856 Franklin Street in Pacific Heights, constructed in 1914, contains 8 units and is currently owned by Cowan Jordan B & Alber Kris. The property has undergone numerous significant improvements over the past decade, most notably completing a mandatory soft-story retrofit in 2017-2018 (with minor revisions) to improve seismic safety, which was classified as a Tier 3 building with work completed and Certificate of Final Completion issued.

The building has seen substantial modernization efforts including a comprehensive fire safety system upgrade in 2014, electrical system improvements in 2012 (including a 400-amp service replacement), and window replacement projects in 2015. Unit renovations have been performed, notably in 2012 for Unit 8, and major plumbing work was completed in late 2024 involving sewer main line and house trap replacement. Recent concerns have emerged about unauthorized modifications to the property, with multiple complaints filed in April 2024 regarding unpermitted work including roofing, plumbing repairs, interior remodels, window replacement, and siding work.

The building has a history of fire safety and egress-related issues, though most violations were abated by early 2018. More recent complaints from 2023-2024 have focused on issues with exterior planters affecting fire escape access, security camera functionality, and various maintenance concerns. The property has maintained compliance with major safety requirements, as evidenced by the completed soft-story retrofit and regular system upgrades, though the recent complaints about unpermitted work suggest some ongoing maintenance and compliance concerns.