259-261 7th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94118

The building at 259-261 7th Avenue in the Inner Richmond district is a two-unit, two-story multi-family residential structure built in 1905, currently owned by Jonathan Howland. The property has undergone significant recent development, with active permits as of 2024 indicating substantial renovations including the establishment of a state-approved ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) on the ground floor with associated electrical, plumbing, and structural modifications, along with voluntary structural strengthening work and the removal of an existing brick chimney.

The building is also undergoing comprehensive systems upgrades, including the installation of new electrical infrastructure (320-amp service), HVAC systems, and water heating equipment, with multiple permits issued throughout 2024 for these improvements. The property's history reveals previous unauthorized unit history, with a 2005 violation documenting unauthorized basement units (259A & 259B) that were subsequently addressed through multiple permits between 2005-2006 to remove illegal units and wiring.

Earlier structural work includes front stairway repairs and foundation work completed in 2014, as well as sewer line repairs in 2009 and 2022. The building's recent renovation activity, particularly the conversion to a third unit (ADU) and comprehensive system upgrades, suggests ongoing investment in improving the property's amenities, though these modifications have temporarily increased the building's complexity in terms of systems and accommodations. The property has also experienced some maintenance issues typical of older buildings, with documented sewer discharge incidents in 2024 and periodic irrigation system adjustments noted in 2021-2023.