135-139 8th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

The four-story, 7-unit multi-family residential building at 135-139 8th Street, owned by David Louie and constructed in 1909, has undergone several significant transformations and faced multiple maintenance challenges over the years. Most notably, the property has transitioned between residential and commercial uses, with a basement change to restaurant/bar seating approved in 2010. The building has experienced recurring fire safety-related issues, including multiple fire system installations and violations, with the most recent fire-related concerns in early 2025 involving sprinkler/standpipe systems.

Water-related incidents have been a persistent problem, with a significant plumbing leak in 2017 causing water entry and even leading to a cockroach infestation issue, while a 2021 upgrade replaced the fire sprinkler backflow preventer system. The property has a documented history of building code violations, particularly in 2007-2009, relating to plumbing, fire safety, and sanitation concerns. These included problems with food preparation sink drainage, venting systems, and fire escape maintenance.

Recent building activity includes various maintenance and upgrade works, such as fire system improvements, electrical rewiring, and emergency lighting installations, indicating ongoing attention to safety systems. The building has experienced multiple fire alarm activations (mostly unintentional) and some related violations for emergency lighting and extinguisher requirements in 2016, though these issues appear to have been addressed. Recent 311 calls from January 2025 suggest ongoing external maintenance challenges, including sidewalk blockages and debris concerns, though these relate to external building conditions rather than internal habitability issues.