1531-1539 Taraval St, San Francisco, CA 94116

The three-story, 12-unit multi-family residential building at 1531-1539 Taraval Street, owned by Martin A Gaehwiler Jr Tr, was constructed in 1988 and has a documented history of both maintenance and compliance issues. Most recently, in 2024, the property underwent a controversial conversion of retail space to an arcade store with approximately 20 machines, leading to multiple building complaints and a Notice of Violation in June 2024 for unpermitted changes - though this was eventually resolved with proper permits in 2024-2025.

The building has a documented pattern of fire safety concerns, including multiple violations and complaints between 2011-2020 regarding alarm systems and extinguishers, with the most recent fire alarm system replacement occurring in 2020 at a cost of $6,096. Unit 302 received significant renovations in 2018, including kitchen remodeling and electrical updates totaling $30,000, while the building's roof was replaced in 2004 at a cost of $16,380. The property has undergone regular inspections, including multiple routine housing inspections between 1999-2011, and has received various violation notices requiring corrections.

Of particular note is a noise complaint from 2012 regarding excessive sound transmission between units, raising potential concerns about sound insulation. The building's surrounding area has experienced recurring issues with garbage and debris, as evidenced by numerous 311 calls in late 2024 and early 2025, though these are not directly related to the building's structural or safety conditions. Historical records indicate three tenant buyouts at nearby addresses between 2015-2016, suggesting some tenant turnover in the vicinity, though none at the subject property directly.