400-402 Pierce St, San Francisco, CA 94117

The 19-unit, 4-story apartment building at 400-402 Pierce Street in Hayes Valley, owned by Plaza Group LLC, was constructed in 1900 and has recently undergone several significant safety upgrades. Most notably, the building completed its mandatory soft-story retrofit in 2016 at a cost of $115,000, demonstrating compliance with San Francisco's seismic safety requirements. Recent fire safety improvements include two fire alarm upgrades filed in July 2023, with permits issued shortly thereafter, though a new violation related to sleeping area requirements was issued in December 2023.

The building has experienced recurring fire safety concerns, with violations noted for blocked exits (2016 and 2019), sprinkler systems (2016), and extinguishers (2018 and 2022), though most have been corrected. The property has undergone various unit improvements over the years, including kitchen and bathroom remodels in units #3 (2013), #9 (2018), and #12 (2016), along with window, siding, and general upkeep work. A significant cluster of violations was recorded in December 2021, addressing issues with ceilings, walls, floors, lights, and window seals, though these were abated by January 2022.

The building has experienced multiple fire-related incidents, including gas leaks and smoke detector activations, though no civilian injuries were reported. Routine safety inspections have been conducted regularly, with the most recent violations focusing on fire safety equipment. Tenants should be aware of ongoing maintenance needs as evidenced by the recent sleeping area violation and periodic fire safety concerns, despite the building's overall investment in structural and safety improvements.