1522 Howard St, San Francisco, CA 94103

The 7-unit, 3-story multi-family residential building at 1522 Howard Street in the South of Market neighborhood, constructed in 1916, has undergone several significant improvements and faced multiple challenges over the past two decades. Most recently, in 2024, residents reported persistent elevator issues, with lights out and beeping problems following prior notifications to the owner.

The building successfully completed its mandatory soft-story retrofit in 2018 (Tier 3) and received building permits for substantial improvements, including the addition of an ADU in 2020 ($120,000) and a kitchen/bathroom remodel in Unit 4 in 2018 ($45,000). The property has a history of safety and maintenance concerns, particularly in the 2000s and 2010s, including multiple violations related to lead paint hazards, handrail deficiencies, and stairway conditions. While these issues were addressed, including repairs to the garbage chute and various safety inspections, the building faced recurring problems with elevator maintenance, furnace systems, and common area upkeep.

Recent maintenance records show ongoing attention to plumbing and electrical systems, with the 2022 installation of new infrastructure for the ADU including a subpanel and utility connections. A tenant buyout occurred in May 2023 for $15,000. Recent 311 calls from late 2024 primarily relate to exterior graffiti and street cleaning issues, though these are mostly external to the building itself.