279-281 Andover St, San Francisco, CA 94110

The two-unit residential building at 279-281 Andover Street in Bernal Heights, owned by Eric W Wong and Maria Carmen, was constructed in 1912 and has undergone several significant changes over its history. Most notably, there are ongoing renovation efforts as of 2024, including a proposed roof deck, rear and partial third-floor addition, and seismic upgrades, though earlier permit applications in 2024 were cancelled. The building's residential use as a two-family dwelling was officially documented in December 2022, confirming its legal status based on records dating back to 1954. The property has a documented history of maintenance and safety issues, particularly during the 2005-2013 period.

These included multiple violations related to interior surfaces, such as lead paint hazards, damaged walls and ceilings, bathroom mold, and safety concerns regarding stairs and porches. All these violations were ultimately abated by August 2013. More recent history shows several parking-related issues near the property, with multiple reports of driveway blocking between 2023-2024, and some sidewalk/curb defects as of December 2023. A notable pattern emerged in late 2022 through 2023, with frequent reports of vehicles blocking driveways, though most were unable to be enforced due to various circumstances.

There was also a period of construction work proposed to merge the two units into a single-family dwelling and add additional space, though this appears to have evolved into the current renovation work now under consideration. The most recent planning documents suggest an intent to significantly expand and upgrade the property, including a roof deck and additional floors, though this represents a departure from the previously proposed merger of the two units. During the prior renovation period (2005-2013), the building faced challenges with maintaining basic habitability standards, though these were resolved according to the records. The property has demonstrated some tendency towards ongoing maintenance needs, particularly regarding exterior surfaces and basic safety concerns, though recent years show fewer documented violations of this nature.