1551-1559 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103

The 27-unit apartment building at 1551-1559 Mission Street in the South of Market neighborhood, owned by Soo Qun Chin Trust, is a three-story structure built in 1909 that has undergone several significant modifications and faced various maintenance challenges over the years. Most notably, the building is currently classified as Non-Compliant under the mandatory Soft Story Retrofit Program (Tier 4), with an active complaint filed in December 2022 regarding uncompleted work and associated violations. Recent improvements include accessibility upgrades in 2023 to comply with the ABE program, involving modifications to the entry slab and door.

The building has a documented history of maintenance issues, particularly in the period from 2003 to 2014, including multiple instances of pest infestations (bed bugs, mice, and roaches), heating system failures, and various interior maintenance problems. Security improvements were made following a series of violations in 2003, including window reinforcements and entry door modifications. Recent years have shown some progress in building improvements, with work completed on electrical systems (200-amp panel installed in 2015), rooftop replacement (2004), and multiple awning modifications (2018).

Fire safety inspections have revealed some concerns, particularly regarding fire extinguishers, though most previous violations have been marked as "No Merit" or "Condition Corrected." The building has experienced several routine inspections, some revealing maintenance issues that were subsequently resolved. Recent 311 calls (January 2025) primarily concern street-level issues such as graffiti and debris, rather than building-specific problems. While the building has had its share of challenges, recent improvements suggest gradual progress toward compliance with current safety and accessibility standards.