543-545 Natoma St, San Francisco, CA 94103

The 6-unit, 3-story multi-family residential building at 543-545 Natoma Street in the South of Market neighborhood, owned by the Marilyn J De Vera Living Trust, has undergone several significant improvements and faced various maintenance challenges since its construction in 1908. Most notably, the building completed a mandatory soft-story retrofit in 2017 at a cost of $80,000 to improve seismic safety. Recent building improvements include the installation of ground floor window security grilles in 2018 ($6,000), though some of these grilles were installed incorrectly into stucco rather than wood frames.

The building has a documented history of maintenance issues, with a series of violations in 2004-2016 including problems with smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, egress obstructions, weatherproofing, and various safety requirements, all of which were eventually abated by December 2016. Earlier complaints from 1995-1998 revealed concerns such as plumbing issues and security defects, though these were promptly addressed. The property has experienced three recorded fire-related incidents, including an intentional fire and a false alarm, though fortunately none resulted in civilian injuries.

Recent documentation shows attention to exterior maintenance, with work completed on roofing (2013) and various repairs to address weatherproofing and safety concerns (2012). The building's location has been affected by typical urban challenges, as evidenced by recent 311 calls in 2024 regarding sidewalk defects and various street maintenance issues, though these are external to the building itself. The most recent building inspection records indicate that the property is currently in compliance with most mandatory safety requirements, following the completion of significant retrofitting work and safety improvements in recent years.