1186 South Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110

The 6-unit, 2-story multi-family residential building at 1186 South Van Ness Avenue, owned by Robert Lum Sing and Xi Alice, was constructed in 1885 and has undergone several significant improvements, most notably completing a mandatory soft-story retrofit in 2018 at a cost of $85,000, bringing it into compliance with seismic safety requirements. Recent infrastructure upgrades include sewer pipe replacement on the left side of the building in January 2023 and an earlier gas line extension project in 2011.

The building has experienced periodic maintenance and safety issues, with violations recorded in 2004 and 2008 related to fire safety, security, and heating systems, though these were addressed and abated. Historical maintenance work has included window replacements (2011), stair repairs (2004), and foundation work (2000). In recent times, there has been persistent graffiti and debris management issues noted through multiple 311 calls between October 2024 and January 2025, though these have generally been resolved by city services.

The building's fire safety history shows some concerns between 2011-2012 with blocked exits and violations related to storage in pathways, though these issues were corrected promptly. A notable complaint in 2008 regarding inadequate heat and window issues was resolved by December 2008. The property has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to maintaining safety standards, as evidenced by the completion of the soft-story retrofit and various system upgrades, though historical records show periods of maintenance challenges that affected resident comfort and safety.