1705 Octavia St, San Francisco, CA 94109

The 12-unit, 3-story apartment building at 1705 Octavia Street in Lower Pacific Heights, built in 1927 and currently owned by SF Multifamily IV Property, has undergone several significant renovations and faced multiple safety-related issues over the past decade. Most notably, in 2024 the building completed a fire alarm system upgrade to comply with current codes, including the installation of low-frequency sounders in sleeping areas, with a cost of approximately $49,000. The building underwent substantial interior improvements in 2019-2020, including the renovation of multiple units (102, 103, 305) with new bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen cabinets, fixtures, and appliances, along with electrical system upgrades including rewiring and new panels for several units.

A significant parking garage conversion project was filed in 2021 to add two new dwelling units. The property has a history of fire safety concerns, with multiple fire code violations recorded between 2018 and 2021, though most have been abated. A 2016 annual inspection revealed several issues including problems with fire escape drop ladders, heating systems, and the need for carbon monoxide detectors, though many of these have since been addressed through subsequent renovations and systems upgrades.

The building completed mandatory soft story seismic retrofit work in 2016 and has maintained its compliance since. Recent maintenance issues have been documented through 311 calls, particularly regarding sidewalk defects and parking enforcement matters, though these are generally outside the building's internal systems. The property appears to have resolved most major safety concerns through recent upgrades, including the 2024 fire alarm system improvement and various unit renovations, while maintaining an active response to current building codes and requirements.