21 Gaven St, San Francisco, CA 94134

The multi-family residential building at 21 Gaven Street in the Portola neighborhood is a two-story structure built in 1923, containing three units on a single parcel and currently owned by Hector Orlando Florez Lopez. The property has undergone several significant renovations over the years, with major work completed in 2006 including the replacement of all windows with double-glaze units, repairs to exterior decks and stairs, and a comprehensive remodel of the second-floor living unit valued at $25,000. During this period, electrical upgrades were also performed, including the installation of a 200-amp main panel and extensive electrical work including lights, switches, and receptacles.

The building has experienced several regulatory challenges, most notably in 2004 when a complaint was filed regarding the illegal conversion of commercial space to residential use, resulting in multiple life safety violations including non-operable windows, uninspected bathroom and kitchen installations, lack of smoke detectors, and improper ventilation. These violations were officially abated by March 2005. Subsequent complaints in 2006 raised concerns about unauthorized construction work, including a new deck, stairs, and window installations, though these issues were later resolved.

More recent calls to 311 (as recent as January 2025) have primarily concerned street cleaning and debris removal, with multiple reports of garbage and waste in the vicinity, though these are external to the building itself. A 2009 fire code violation was recorded for an address listed as 170 Boutwell Street, but it is unclear if this is directly related to the subject property, and this violation has since been closed. The property's recent history (2023 onwards) shows no significant building or safety violations on record, though the presence of multiple street cleaning issues in early 2025 suggests ongoing challenges with waste management in the immediate vicinity. The building's documented improvements, particularly the 2006 renovations, suggest that many of the historical safety concerns have been addressed, though potential prospective tenants should verify the current condition and safety features of the building.