1646 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA 94109

The property at 1646 Sutter Street is a 26-unit, 3-story multi-family residential building constructed in 1928, currently owned by the Fred Levinson Survivors Trust. The building has undergone several significant upgrades to meet safety standards, most notably a comprehensive fire alarm system upgrade completed in 2023 that included the installation of low-frequency sounders in all units to comply with current fire code requirements. The building completed a mandatory soft-story retrofit in 2016, demonstrating compliance with seismic safety requirements. Recent maintenance records show attention to basic infrastructure, including a 2019 electrical system upgrade replacing metering equipment and the 2012 installation of a new steam heating boiler to replace an older unit.

The building has experienced various maintenance and safety issues over the years, with the most recent complaint filed in 2024 reporting concerns about mold, dilapidated floors, and leaky fixtures in Unit 101. Historical issues include a pattern of electrical and bathroom/kitchen renovation work done without proper permits, as evidenced by complaints in 2016, though these were subsequently addressed through proper permitting processes. The building's systems have required ongoing attention, as shown by multiple 311 calls for service including sidewalk maintenance needs and various infrastructure requests. Fire safety systems have required periodic maintenance, with two fire-related complaints in 2021 and 2023 regarding the fire escape and alarm systems respectively, both of which were corrected.

While there have been several emergency responses recorded for the building, including elevator rescues and medical assists, there have been no reported fire incidents or civilian injuries associated with these calls, suggesting routine building systems are generally functioning as intended. Recent inspection history and permit activity indicate regular attention to building systems and compliance with city requirements, though the most recent complaint about unit condition in 2024 suggests ongoing maintenance challenges. The property has a history of addressing violations and complaints through proper permitting processes, as seen in the resolution of the 2016 unpermitted construction issue. The building's infrastructure improvements, including the 2023 fire system upgrade and previous soft-story retrofit, demonstrate an investment in maintaining safety and compliance with current standards, though the frequency of fire alarm-related incidents (mostly false alarms or system malfunctions) suggests ongoing fine-tuning of safety systems may be required.