765 Ellis St, San Francisco, CA 94109

The 15-unit apartment building at 765 Ellis Street, owned by the Nguyen Family 2017 Trust, is a three-story multi-family residential structure built in 1913 in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood. The property has experienced several concerning safety issues in recent years, with the most pressing being active building violations filed in May 2024 related to fire safety equipment: including requirements for fire extinguisher maintenance, ladder maintenance, gas utility shutoff tools, and compliance documentation. A significant fire alarm system upgrade is currently in progress, with permits issued in August 2024 to bring the building into compliance with current fire code requirements at a cost of $45,360.

The building has a documented history of fire safety concerns, with multiple violations issued in 2023 related to extinguishers, exits, and sprinkler systems, though most of these were corrected promptly. Recent maintenance history shows some notable renovations, including a substantial kitchen remodel in Unit 6 in 2015 costing $25,000, which included electrical upgrades and new fixtures. However, the building has experienced recurring maintenance issues, as evidenced by a 2020 complaint regarding plumbing problems in Unit 12 (leaky fixtures and drain issues) that reportedly went unaddressed for several months.

The property has undergone several large-scale works in the past, including foundation and shotcrete wall modifications in 2006 costing $26,000. Recent 311 calls from early 2025 indicate ongoing issues in the surrounding neighborhood, particularly concerning encampments and sanitation, though these are external to the building itself. The building's fire safety record shows regular fire department interactions, mostly related to alarm activations and system maintenance, with no civilian injuries reported in any incidents. While some historical violations have been resolved, including a 1999 complaint about heating issues and plumbing problems, the building's recent history suggests ongoing challenges with timely maintenance and regulatory compliance, particularly regarding fire safety systems.