53-57 Potomac St, San Francisco, CA 94117

The multi-family residential building at 53-57 Potomac St in Hayes Valley, currently owned by the Frances Schreiberg Trust, is a 3-story, 5-unit apartment building constructed in 1900. The property has undergone significant safety and modernization improvements in recent years, including the installation of a new comprehensive 84-sprinkler wet standpipe system in 2021 ($117,800), a complete fire alarm system upgrade in 2024 ($41,705) with low-frequency sounders in sleeping areas, and the installation of a new heat pump system in early 2024.

The building has also seen substantial interior improvements, including a major renovation of the 4th floor apartment to add a mezzanine, new kitchen, and bathrooms in 2019 ($170,000), and comprehensive kitchen and bathroom renovations in multiple units between 2020-2022 totaling approximately $280,000. The property has a noted history of building code violations from 2004-2008 concerning unauthorized alterations and fire safety issues, though these were officially abated by July 2008. Recent tenant complaints from 2011 regarding hot water issues and water damage were resolved, and the building has maintained active compliance with modern safety standards, as evidenced by the recent fire system upgrades and regular maintenance.

The property's planning records indicate efforts to restore original building configuration, including a successful Dwelling Unit Merger Application to remove an illegal unit and combine 4th-floor apartments, though there are pending matters regarding historical property status. Recent tenant buyouts in late 2024 suggest significant owner investment in the property, with payments of approximately $83,000-$84,000 to units 47 and 49. The building's maintenance history also shows regular updates to plumbing systems, including multiple water heater installations and electrical upgrades to meet current codes, though an expired backflow device registration from 2022 and some historical unauthorized modifications from 2006-2008 are noted.