216 4th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94118

The 12-unit, 3-story multi-family residential building at 216 4th Avenue in the Inner Richmond, built in 1904 and currently owned by Toy Real Estate Investment Co., has undergone numerous significant improvements and faced various challenges over the past several years. Most notably, the building completed a mandatory soft-story seismic retrofit in 2022 (Tier 3) at a cost of $210,000, demonstrating compliance with San Francisco's seismic safety requirements. Recent major improvements include a comprehensive fire alarm system upgrade in 2024 (with associated electrical work) to meet current code requirements, and extensive renovations to Unit 4 in 2024 involving interior remodeling of kitchens and bathrooms costing $120,000.

The building has a documented history of unit renovations, with multiple apartments receiving updates including bathroom remodels, kitchen improvements, and electrical upgrades between 2011 and 2019. The property has faced several challenges regarding maintenance and safety compliance. In 2018, there were complaints about lead paint removal potentially being conducted improperly during exterior work, and in 2022 there was a report of roof plaster/concrete collapse onto the sidewalk.

The fire safety systems have required ongoing attention, with violations noted for the alarm system (2022) and fire extinguishers (2019), though these were subsequently corrected. Historical permit issues were documented in 2011 regarding unauthorized remodeling work in Units 8 and 12, and there were several building exterior maintenance complaints in 2022. The building's current systems include modern features such as tankless water heaters (installed in 2023) and an upgraded electrical system (400 amp service since 2002) reflecting significant infrastructure investments.