27-29 Fountain St, San Francisco, CA 94114

The two-unit residential building at 27-29 Fountain Street in Noe Valley, constructed in 1905 and owned by Robert Joness Fyfe, has undergone significant recent improvements focused on safety and modernization. Most notably, in 2023-2024, the property received substantial fire safety upgrades, including the installation of a comprehensive fire sprinkler system with 49 sprinklers ($38,000) and a monitoring system ($4,000). Other recent improvements include a complete home rewiring with new 200-amp service in 2022 ($561,266), installation of a radiant heating system with boiler and indirect-fired hot water heater ($38,000), and bathroom renovations in Unit #29 ($21,000).

The property has seen some infrastructural work, including sewer line replacement and a new direct vent gas fireplace installation in 2023. Several concerning issues have emerged recently, particularly regarding a hot tub installation in 2017 that generated multiple building complaints in March 2024, with concerns about its placement near the property line and compliance with discretionary review conditions related to noise mitigation and garden unit access. The building experienced sewer-related problems in mid-2024, with reports of discharge from a side sewer vent, though this was subsequently resolved.

Recent municipal service requests primarily relate to parking issues on the street, including reports of abandoned vehicles and sidewalk parking, as well as some sewer-related concerns that remain open as of early 2025. The building's history shows a progression of thoughtful improvements, culminating in major safety upgrades in the past two years. While the property has seen some regulatory compliance issues and maintenance challenges, most recent permits and inspections indicate active management and investment in maintaining and upgrading the building's systems.