1001-1031 Franklin St, San Francisco, CA 94109

The Martin Luther Tower, located at 1001-1031 Franklin Street in San Francisco's Van Ness/Civic Center neighborhood, is a 13-story, 124-unit multi-family residential building constructed in 1965. The property has experienced recurring maintenance and safety issues in recent years, with particular concerns around its heating system and fire safety compliance. Most notably, there have been multiple violations regarding boiler permits and heating system operation in 2024, along with recurring problems with water heating and plumbing systems as documented in several complaints throughout 2023-2024.

The building has also experienced several fire safety violations, including issues with sprinkler systems, emergency lighting, and sleeping area requirements, with the most recent violation related to sleeping area requirements on October 28, 2023. Recent improvement projects include window and sliding door replacements in 2018, reroofing in 2017, and the installation of new security fencing in 2023. The property is undergoing significant development changes, with plans for a new 7-story, 94-unit senior affordable housing building filed in 2022, which would replace the existing parking structure and create a connected campus with the current building. Recent records indicate ongoing maintenance challenges, with complaints about window problems, ventilation issues, and construction noise in 2023-2024.

The property has experienced multiple instances of inadequate heating and hot water supply, particularly affecting vulnerable senior residents. Historical records show patterns of fire safety violations, including problems with the high-rise sprinkler system compliance, though many earlier violations have been abated. The building's management has demonstrated ongoing efforts to address maintenance issues, as evidenced by recent permit activity for boiler replacement in 2024 and various other infrastructure improvements. However, the frequency of heating system-related complaints and violations suggests persistent challenges in maintaining reliable building systems, particularly affecting resident comfort and safety.