[view from the de young museum tower via Curbed Flickr Pool/lazybone cafe]
· 10 San Francisco lots ready for development [SF Business Times]
· Entire city required to listen to Tony Bennett on Valentine's Day [SFist]
· "America's Got Talent" auditions this weekend in Civic Center [SF Appeal]
· Surprising facts about Bernal Heights foreclosures and home values [Bernalwood]
If you take a stroll down Market Street between Fifth and Eighth streets be sure to check out a new art installation that was unveiled today. "The Windows" is a collection of 10 art installations that were inspired by artwork and stories from children at Raphael House, a San Francisco-based shelter for homeless families. Want to check it out but need a little guidance? Tours of the windows will begin at 5:30 p.m., starting at the Art Institute at 1170 Market Street. [SF Appeal] 
One of the many draws of Alamo Square Park is its shoe garden, which is exactly what it sounds like. So imagine some residents surprise to find it one day missing. The shoe garden was removed to make room for a renovation to a nearby bathroom. "It will be OK in the end," said Lisa Zahner, Alamo Square Neighborhood Association President. "We can redo it when we have a new place to flush." The ETA for the shoe garden's return is Spring 2013. [Local Addition/photo via Sergio Ruiz]
Earlier this month we pitted two fancypants condos against each other. The first was 325 Locust, a 3-bed, 2-bath, 1,950 square foot condo in Presidio Heights that was asking $1,595,000. It went up against a slightly more expensive Lower Pacific Heights condo on Pine. 325 Locust won with more than half the vote: 53.3%. It should come as no surprise then that 325 Locust sold yesterday for asking, without hanging out on the market for even a month. Congrats to the lucky seller and buyer and please invite us to the housewarming party! 
I'm agreeing with Aaron Peskin. Concern over the America's Cup real estate deals has brought C.W. Nevius to grief. Terms are being finalized for the deal and the Cup People want Pier 29 for their portfolio. It is after all, next to the new cruise terminal. Peskin and Supervisor Chiu say it's not going to happen. On the other hand, the Supes could get together this week and cancel the race altogether for lack of private funding. [C.W. Nevius/SF Gate and previously at Curbed SF]
In the spitfire race to build the globe's tallest edifice, there's a new frontfronner: Azerbaijan Tower, a kilometer-tall structure that's set to break ground in the Republic of Azerbaijan. Rising 3,444 feet high and dwarfing the competition (Burj Khalifa, Kingdom Tower), the beast should be complete by 2019. Curbed National has staggering photos. [Curbed National]]]>
At a Bay Area Toll Authority meeting yesterday Caltrans officials said that the opening date of the new Bay Bridge will be on or just after Labor Day 2013, which is about 19 months away. Bart Nay, a Caltrans spokesman, said the opening will be preceded by a multiple-day closure of the bridge while crews rebuild and reconfigure the approach, landing and access from the toll plaza. "That's before you get into any celebration," he said. "And there will probably be a celebration." [SFGate/photo via Whole Wheat Toast]
Was: $6,750,000
You'd think a big abode on the very prestigious Presidio Terrace would have it easy when it came time to land a buyer, but that's exactly the opposite of what's happening to 14 Presidio Terrace. The 7-bed, 7.5-bath single-family home landed on the market in September of last year with an asking price of $6,750,000. Since then, it's taken chop after chop, and is now $5,650,000. Property highlights include wine storage and an au pair suite on the lower level, and the opportunity to smugly let people know that you live in a gated community.
· 14 Presidio Terrace [Redfin]
· Half a Million Off For a Slice of Presidio Heights [Curbed SF]
[N Judah via Curbed Flickr Pool/Chris Saulit]
· Firm says billboards could earn BART up to $10 million a year [SF Examiner]
· You're invited to help save Oakland's historic Sunset House [Oakland Local]
· By the numbers: the new $26B homeowners settlement [Curbed National]
· Key dates in the foreclosure mess [WSJ]
· Get to know the Haight-Ashbury Museum of Psychedelic Art and History [SFist]
The latest Tenant Troubles over at the SF Appeal rehashes a great question that we get all time: What do you do when your old landlord won't give you your deposit back? The obvious answer is to take them to small claims court, but renters usually want to avoid that route. Head over the the Appeal to read what advice attorney Dave Crow, who specializes in San Francisco landlord tenant law, has to give. [SF Appeal]
[Super old rendering of 201 Folsom, seen here with Infinity design pre-Arquitectonica intervention, via SF New Developments]
Tomorrow the Planning Commission will hear an informational presentation on the "sister" project to the Infinity Towers. Approved back in 2003, the project is for two residential towers, 350 and 400 feet above an 80-foot podium, at 201 Folsom Street across the street from the Infinity I & II. The original approval motion recognized the potential for design of the project to change before construction and included a condition of approval that the Planning Director approve the final design after an informational hearing at the Planning Commission. The new design reduces the number of parking spots in the podium section, originally included for the neighboring US Post Office sorting facility that's now defunct, so the podium has been redesigned. There will be less dwelling units than originally planned, but more commercial spaces and open space. And oh yeah, the project architect is totally new (from Heller Manus to Arquitectonica). The agenda didn't include the new plans, so we'll fill you in after the hearing tomorrow.
· Memo for Informational Hearing on 201 Folsom St [Curbed SF]
· Hope Yet for Rincon Hill's 201 Folsom St [Curbed SF]
· Infinity's Cousin Still Coming, One Day [Curbed SF]
· Past Coverage of The Infinity [Curbed SF Archives]
Are you working your way through the Eater 38? Reading Racked obsessively for the latest sample sales? Or drooling over floorplans you saw on Curbed? If you have 5+ years of digital sales experience and strong relationships within the digital community, this could be the job for you. You'll sell our three titles—Curbed, Eater & Racked—to agencies and clients. Down the road, there will also be an opportunity to establish Curbed's first west coast office. Salary is competitive, and benefits include health care and a matched 401(k). Interested parties should email jobs@curbed.com.
The Civic Center blog recently snapped some great photos of the construction of the 35,000 square foot SFJAZZ Center being built at 205 Franklin Street in Hayes Valley. This will be the first permanent home for the 28-year-old organization. The structure was designed by San Francisco architect Mark Cavagnero of Mark Cavagnero Associates and is slated to achieve LEED Gold certification. [Civic Center/previously on Curbed SF]
Tomorrow the Planning Commission will hear a Conditional Use Application to seismically retrofit the closed Metro Theater at 2055 Union Street and convert it to a Equinox Gym. The project would divide the existing interior theater auditorium to create three full floor levels of gym space. The existing ground floor retail space in the front, currently occupied by Marmalade, will remain, with a second retail space added on the other side and a community room on the first floor available to neighborhood groups. Additionally, the 2,000 square foot fitness area will be available for the public as a multipurpose auditorium, including a permanent retractable screen, up to 18 times per year. The Metro Theater was declared a City Landmark in 2009, so the project would preserve historic murals within the auditorium by constructing the new floors away from the side walls.
· Conditional Use Application for Metro Theater [SF Planning]
· Union Street’s Metro Theater: Saving Its Skin In Order To Un-Shutter [SocketSite]
· Metro Theater [Cinema Treasures]]]>
Across the Golden Gate Bridge in very beautiful and very expensive Belvedere is Villa Belvedere, an estate that was built just this year. The 7-bed, 10-bath; 15,500 square foot abode sits on a 1.14 acre waterfront lot. It is currently the most expensive home for sale in Belvedere (second place goes to another waterfront home that's listed for $22,250,000), and if it gets anywhere close to its $45,000,000 asking price it will be one of the most expensive home sales in Belvedere's history. As expected, the home has all the bells and whistles you'd associate with a property of this caliber, including panoramic views of everything imaginable from almost every room, and a exquisite outdoor 50-foot swimming pool complete with cabana. Other property highlights include 6,000 square feet of stone terraces and a temperature-controlled wine cellar. Typically a mansion like this is inaccessible to the public, but we're happy to report that it's currently home to the Marin Designers' Showcase, which runs 'til February 26.
According to the City's Controllers Office, the America’s Cup Organizing Committee only has $800,000 of the $12 million it had aimed to raise by last week. The group is in charge of raising $32 million for the races over the next two years to help cover the race’s total $300 million cost. The Controller's Office isn't optimistic, saying "given the ACOC’s expenses and fundraising payout schedules, significant additional fundraising beyond those achieved to date will be required." [SF Examiner]]]>
The Chronicle's Matier and Ross tell us that Oakland has selected stadium designer HKS Inc., JRDV Architects of Oakland and mall and condo builders Forest City Enterprises to "create a plan for the 750 acres that make up the Coliseum site and neighboring new-tech development area west of Interstate 80." The $3 million for the design will come from money obtained by the now defunct Redevelopment Agency. "It's like (Tom) Brady in the last play of the Super Bowl - it's a Hail Mary," said Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty, who sits on the Coliseum's joint powers board. We still want the Warriors to move to SF. [SFGate/photo via Ariel Dovas]
[taylor street via Curbed Flickr Pool/Grey van der Meer]
· Sketchy Sixth and Market intersection dubbed "Comfort Corner" [SFist]
· First look at the new Parkway Theater in Oakland [broke-ass stuart]
· More than 40 states agree on $25B foreclosure 'robo-signing' deal [ABC]
· Why S.F. still counts on street fire alarm boxes [SFGate]
· Tis the season for Plum Blossoms in Bernal Heights [Bernalwood]
· Lower Haight Walgreens to expand, Fillmore street storefront to disappear [Haighteration]
"We understand that people are going to be upset about this," said archdiocese spokesman George Wesolek. "That's where they were baptized, maybe married. There are strong emotional connections. But we have to move on." The potential sale of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church on Russian Hill has some residents upset, even though the church hasn't been used since last summer. "We are very upset, very angry and so disappointed," said former parishioner Clementina Garcia Landgrave. The church, which is a local historic landmark, is currently asking $3.5M. [SF Examiner/photo via Dominic Labbe] 
Good news for the Berkeley site where the historic Sequoia Building on the corner of Telegraph and Haste was destroyed by a fire. The owners of the site have wasted no time in figuring out what to do next, and have submitted plans to the city for a temporary resurrection. The "canopy-like tents fixed to concrete pads, along with three shipping containers which would be used to house kitchens" will allow two restaurants that were gutted to reopen. "it will have an ad hoc quality, but could be really fun," Oakland architect Kirk Peterson, who designed the space, said. "It's a unique application and no-one has ever done this here which puts it into its own category. The owners want to get their businesses up and running again and the city is interested in moving things along as quickly as possible to help the neighborhood." [Berkeleyside] 
Waterford Hotels and Inns, the folks responsible for the Inn at The Presidio are having fun with Twitter today, sending out a steady stream of updates on the progress of getting their new inn ready, and with shiny black leather and room numbers shaped like dog tags, its got a certain military ambiance. The new B&B should be ready for guests soon- a soft opening in the second half of March and (insert joke here) an official opening date of April 1. Reservations can be made via a temporary website, and it looks like Disney fans can expect package rates with the Walt Disney Family Museum in the foreseeable future. The renovation of Pershing Hall, an early 1900s officers' quarters steps from the Parade Ground, the B&B will offer 17 1-bedroom suites and 5 rooms, including a continental breakfast and late afternoon wine/cheese event for guests. Along with all the other attractions of the Presidio, never underestimate the power of Disney fanpersons, but for the unforeseeable future, these will be the only overnight accommodations in the Presidio.
· Twenty-Two Rooms Coming to a Presidio Near You [Curbed SF]
· Inn at The Presidio [Waterford]
· Walt Disney Family Museum [Disney]
· The Presidio: No Room at the Inn, Ever [Curbed SF]
[Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill, via Google Maps]
The Protect Coit Tower Committee delivered more than 16,000 signatures this week, the first step towards a local ballot measure in 2012 to "preserve" Coit Tower. There's nothing quite like a carefully-written ballot measure, and theirs is vague enough to get behind. How can you not support the preservation of the Coit Tower murals? It's like loving puppies. Although most tourists go to up there for the view, the 1930s murals remain important examples of the Depression's iconic Social Realism style, and they've begun to deteriorate, primarily due to water damage, seepage and fog. So we have all the usual suspects- preservation, NIMBYs, and the perennial battle over parking and access.
]]> An early Works Progress Administration project, most of the murals are frescos (painted directly on plaster) with a distinctly local, left-wing political attitude influenced by Mexican painter Diego Rivera, then a major art world celebrity. Rivera was in San Francisco in 1930-31 to work on two mural projects and knew a number of the artists involved in Coit Tower and would return a decade later to paint his vast Pan-American Unity fresco for City College. Sadly, the Protect Coit Tower Committee and its cousin, Telegraph Hill Neighbors are not interested in raising money to restore the murals They want funds to come from concession revenues, but their ballot measure looks more like a smokescreen to restrict access in the evenings and protect their parking.Coit Tower is closed in the evenings, but the road up- an extension of Lombard Street- is not, and neighbors enjoy the parking lot there at night. Rec & Parks will soon be looking for a new concessionaire to take over, and a successful operator will want to use the tower and parking lot at night for private events- a room at the tower's top for small events, and there's plenty of room in front for a party tent. Food trucks, a more mobile solution, would make it even more popular with drivers. To be fair to residents, during the day (and not just on weekends) they've suffered the line of cars stretching down Lombard Street, full of tourists waiting patiently for a parking space to open in front of the tower, Justin Bieber playing at full blast, and making the #39 bus from Fisherman's Wharf perennially late- a situation that has existed for decades. And no, they probably don't want valet parking and a crowd of young new tech millionaires dancing the night away, either. It's as much about change as Rec & Parks' need to monetize some of their assets, plus the potential need to shut down Coit Tower for a few years while the murals are stabilized and restored. So far, no one seems to have brought up the subject of naming rights to raise revenue. Facebook Coit Tower?
· Neighbors Look Toward Ballot Measure to Protect Coit Tower [SF Examiner]
· Newly-Formed Neighborhood Group Wants to "Preserve and Protect" Coit Tower [Curbed SF]
· San Francisco's Famed Coit Tower Murals in Peril Due to Fog, Neglect [PBS News Hour]
· CCSF: Diego Rivera's Mural May Not Languish in Semi-Obscurity Much Longer [Curbed SF]
For more images, check out photographer Donald Kenney's outstanding collection of details of the Coit Tower murals.
A curious reader asks:
I was walking down Hotaling place in Jackson Square and noticed renewed construction on the Belli Building. Do you know what will come of it? Will it be more condos?
Looks like work has indeed resumed on the project at 722-728 Montgomery Street, better known as the Belli and Genella Buildings. Originally built in 1851, the buildings are both city historic landmarks and previously operated as a cigar warehouse, theatre, and public bath house (not all at the same time, of course). Famed/infamous SF attorney Melvin Belli bought and restored the properties in 1958, but they fell into major disrepair after he died in 1996. A project was approved back in August 2007 for a 12 residential and 5 commercial condo conversion out of the old office space, but due to some...financial issues with Belli's widow, the property was sold and the project stalled. It wasn't until December 2010 that building permits were finally filed to complete the work. According to the permits, the upper two floors will be converted into the residential units, with commercial space below.
· Previous "Ask Curbed SF" [Curbed SF Archives]
· Historic Landmark Listing for Belli Building [SF Planning]
· Belli’s Barbary Coast (And At One Time) Belle Of A Building [SocketSite]
· Historic Landmark Listing for Genella Building [SF Planning]
It looks like a piece of Bernal Heights is knee deep in a parking war, on "Folsom near Ripley, just below the entrance to Bernal Heights Park." It originated from an angry neighbor leaving a handwritten note on a car that had been parked for what they considered too long (you can click the photo to the right for a larger version). The car owner responded with a neatly typed note, filled with gems like "So thank you neighbor, for your warm and valiant offer to educate me about San Francisco's 72 hour parking limit with your insightfully scrawled note." One neighbor spoke to Bernalwood about the notes, and said that they thought "this "parking war" is a misunderstanding and a waste of time." Head on over to Bernalwood for their full report (and a lively and insightful comment section). [Bernalwood]
The Mid-Century modern home at 1901 Diamond Street has had an interesting development. It's been reported that Giants pitcher Matt Cain owns the property, and a quick check of its property records confirms that the abode belongs to Cain Revocable Lvg Tr, aka Matthew Cain and wife Chelsea. The Cain clan bought the 4-bed, 3-bath, 2,815 square foot Noe Valley in late 2008 for $2,050,000. It's now listed at $1,795,000, a $255,000 loss. It was first listed by the Cain family in September for $1,950,000, and quickly had its price reduced because of "motivated sellers." Barry Zito and Brian Wilson rent in the Marina and it's no secret that Tim Lincecum rented in the Mission. Perhaps Cain's fellow Giants pitchers sat him down and gave him a good talking to about the glorious joy renting brings, or perhaps he's looking to buy something bigger and better since he scored a $15M contract for 2012. 
Listed for: $1,275,000
Listed for: $2,500,000
Listed for: $5,000,000
Congrats to all the sellers and buyers!
]]>
[By Air and By Sea via Curbed Flickr Pool/Chris Saulit]
· San Francisco 49ers fans should embrace move south [SF Examiner]
· Copper wire thieves target state parks [KTVU]
· Vandals cause at least $25,000 of damage in Dolores Park [SFGate]
· Where are all the SF queens on 'RuPaul's Drag Race'? [SFist]
· Adieu, 49ers: San Francisco, team to file for divorce [The Snitch]
· Bernal Bucks gets some attention from the Los Angeles Times [LATimes]
Inside the celebrity-infused March issue of Architectural Digest: a 10-pager on Diane von Furstenberg's phenomenal glassy aerie next to the High Line in Manhattan. Curbed National has pics on the penthouse that's filled with "just odds and ends, all the things that have happened throughout my life," as the fashion designer describes it. [Curbed National]
Good things happening at one of SOMA's bleakest corners. 680 Folsom Street is finally getting its makeover. Although the formerly waffle-fronted slab built for PG&E is actually at the corner of Folsom and Hawthorne Street, it's been empty for years, looming over that 19th Century stable crowding the corner at Third Street. The site was once discussed as a possible expansion site for Moscone Center, later handed over to the bank in lieu of foreclosure and now resurrected by TMG Partners and Rookwood Capital. We're presuming the seismic retro-fit, re-skinning and rejuvenation is still the work of Craig Hartman at SOM- a design harking back to SOM's classic Mad Men buildings of the 1960s- and the rendering above does not show the old stable building.
]]> No word on its future/demolition/re-use- although there was once talk of it becoming a performing arts museum- its current footprint narrows the sidewalk (with a bus shelter!) on a heavily-used pedestrian route. In more good news (via press release) TMG announced today that Riverbed Technology, the IT performance company, has taken a 10-year lease on floors 2 through 6, about a third of the renovation's total floor space. They already have their name on the rendering.
This week we'll be exploring the cheapest properties currently for sale in Central Richmond. All the homes we're sharing are up for grabs, meaning we didn't include any listing that has a sale that's currently pending. We're showing properties between California and Fulton streets and Park Presidio Boulevard and 32nd Avenue. Let's get this party started!
10) 755 25th Avenue
Asking price: $729,000
Size: 2-bed, 1-bath; 1,415 square feet
Price per square foot: $515
The skinny: This abode's just over a block away from Golden Gate Park and within walking distance to several schools. Though the house is 1,415 square feet, the lot is 2,996 square feet. No photos of the backyard but Google Maps shows that some trees. There's 2-car tandem parking in the garage.
9) 502 22nd Avenue 
8) 303 27th Avenue
Asking price: $679,000
Size: 1-bed, 1-bath; 1,190 square feet
Price per square foot: $571
The skinny: Broker babble states that "two bedroom homebuyers should not miss this immaculate corner condo," so we think they're suggesting you convert the dining room into a bedroom since this is definitely a proper one bedroom apartment (you can click the above link to see the floorplan in the listing photos). The unit's been updated with all sorts of fancy things like Bosch washer and dryer and a cabinet-paneled Miele dishwasher. Floorplan porn reveals that there's a legal bonus room attached to the private garage.
7) 427 25th Avenue
Asking price: $587,000
Size: 2-bed, 2-bath; 987 square feet
Price per square foot: $595
The skinny: The overall look of this condo's interiors could use a bit of updating, but nothing major. The kitchen's been updated with new marble countertops, new stainless steel sink and some other shiny details. Monthly HOA dues are $114.95 and there's 1-car parking in the garage.
6) 2346 Clement Street, #2
Asking price: $550,000
Size: 1-bed, 1-bath; 883 square feet
Price per square foot: $623
The skinny: This condo was built in 2004, and has hardwood floors in the main living areas and berber carpet in the bedroom. There's also a gas fireplace in the unit and a private roof deck. Monthly HOA dues are $320 and thee's no parking.
5) 425 26th Avenue, #3
Asking price: $549,000
Size: 3-bed, 2.5-bath; 1,400 square feet
Price per square foot: $392
The skinny: This condo isn't a TIC or a short sale, so we're currently scratching our head over the price. It's low. A Redfin agent has visited the condo and said that there's an "odd 2nd front door into the 2nd bedroom," so there's that. Monthly HOA dues are $250 and there's 1-car parking in the garage.
4) 875 26th Avenue
Asking price: $465,000
Size: 1-bed, 1-bath; 837 square feet
Price per square foot: $556
The skinny: This condo's a whole five buildings away from Golden Gate Park. The large bedroom opens to the backyard that has mature fruit trees and plenty of privacy. Monthly HOA dues are $100 and there's no parking.
3) 724 16th Avenue, #4
Asking price: $429,000
Size: 2-bed, 1.5-bath; unlisted square footage
Price per square foot: Unavailable
The skinny: THis unit's a TIC in a 6-unit building. It's one house away from the Argonne Community Garden. Monthly HOA dues are $345 and there's one remaining parking space if you want to shell out $25,000 for it.
2) 471 23rd Avenue, #4
Asking price: $395,000
Size: 2-bed, 1-bath; unlisted square footage
Price per square foot: Unavailable
The skinny: This unit's another TIC in a 6-unit building. Broker babble states that it's "condo-eligible and no rental restrictions for the investor!" Monthly HOA dues are $346.74 and there's 1-car parking in the garage.
1) 2625 Clement Street
Asking price: $390,000
Size: 2-bed, 1-bath; 690 square feet
Price per square foot: $565
The skinny: This is a short sale. Other than that, very little is known about Central Richmond's cheapest abode. Monthly HOA dues are $272 and there's 1-car parking in the garage.
Tomorrow, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency's board of directors will vote to approve the People's Plan, also known as the America's Cup public transportation plan. For a full report on the plan we suggest checking out the Curbed SF breakdown here. The yacht racing events begin this August. [SF Examiner/Curbed SF] 
Both of these abodes are seriously swoonable. One's a sophisticated view home on a highly coveted block. The other's a modern entertainment home that recently underwent a very contemporary remodel. Both are close to $3M. Dear readers, please take to the comments to let us know your thoughts, and don't forget to cast your vote at the end of the post! In one corner we have 332 Cumberland, a 3-bed, 2.5-bath, 2,500 square foot home in Eureka Valley/Dolores Heights. Its asking price is $2,995,000. In the other corner is 752 27th Street in Noe Valley, a 4-bed, 3.5-bath, 3,463 square foot home. Asking price is $2,895,000. 
Pros: This property's got a lovely Arts and Crafts facade that is very inviting. We're really loving the lush foliage out front, too. Also included are views galore, which you can take them in via one of the many private decks. There's a lower level room that's currently set up for a gym. The property's super central, and is a mere block from Dolores Park.
Cons: It's $362 more per square foot than the other property, even though it's got less bedrooms, bathrooms and square footage. The backyard leaves something to be desired.
752 27th Street
Pros: At $836 per square, it's not only significantly less expensive than the above abode, but it's also lower than the neighborhood's average price per square foot. The obvious pro here is that you're getting more bedrooms, bathrooms and square footage for a little less money. The home recently underwent a significant remodel by Topetcher Architecture, and they didn't fall to impress with the sleek contemporary interiors. The backyard is spectacular. Have a dog? The Douglass Dog Park is half a block away.
Cons: The location's desirable, but not as desirable as 332 Cumberland's. The extremely contemporary interiors might put off some buyers.
Salesforce and Chairman Marc Benioff defy the hermetically sealed model still favored by the likes of Apple and Oracle. The success or failure of an open urban campus will resonate in boardrooms as well as Mission Bay. The Chronicle's John King looks over the plans for the Legorreta+Legorreta-designed campus and come up with a few reservations- mostly about the otherwise institutional blandness of Mission Bay- but loves the urban campus concept. [SF Gate]
Got a question about what's going up (or coming down) in your neighborhood? Inquiries welcome at the Ask Curbed SF Inbox. It helps if you send a picture, like one reader did, above.
A concerned reader asks:
Does anyone know what is going up between Ferguson Bath & Kitchen Gallery and the Royan Hotel? I walk by most everyday and have yet to see a building permit posted.What's going up is 411 Valencia Street, a 16-unit condominium project over retail and a garage. As for the building permit, we can't answer why it's not posted, but it was issued in June, 2011 after years of back and forth- starting with an initial approval in 2006. Questions about inclusionary housing show up in the permit history. There was some review by the Historic Preservation Commission in 2008- the owners are replacing a one-story garage (Bennett's Auto Repair) in the Eastern Neighborhoods plan- plus a neighboring Clear Channel billboard intruded onto the site's airspace. We're going to assume four units per floor, one parking space per unit, no inclusionary housing. But it will have bay windows.
[Year of the Dragon Boat via Curbed Flickr Pool/Erik Wilson]
· 7-minute video of soothing Baker Beach sunsets [SFist]
· SPUR opens up shop (well, office) in San Jose [SF Business Times]
· Remembering Bernal's backyard motocross track [Bernalwood]
· JFK Drive bikeway street plans released [Streetsblog SF]
· Slower office construction could mean higher rents [WSJ]
"The relationship between the (San Francisco) supervisors and Candlestick Park and the 49ers is really a corrupt relationship," San Francisco-based attorney and ethicist Peter Keane told the NBC Bay Area Investigative Unit. A total of 76 free tickets are available to San Francisco supervisors and other elected officials each game, including 12 luxury box tickets for the mayor and 12 luxury box tickets for the General Manager of the Recreation and Parks Department. And while the city cites reasons like "increasing public exposure" or "increasing public awareness," some ethicists say the practice should come to an end. "Mayor Lee said he'll ask the city attorney to take a closer look to see if there are any problems. [SF Examiner/Photo via Whole Wheat Toast] 
[Rest via Curbed Flickr Pool/Jeremy Brooks]
· Veterans’ housing project brings HUD official back home [SFGate]
· A new district elections map [SFBG]
· New SF agency tasked with funding affordable housing [CBS SF]
· Planning Commission appointee describes possible conflicts [SF Examiner]
· The Protect Coit Tower group opposes private parties [NYTimes]
· New Dolores Park playground looking just about done thanks to addition of giant footbridge [Mission Mission]
[Photo via Eater SF]
Our sisters over at Eater SF got a sneak peek of the revamped food court at the Metreon, which opens tomorrow. The dining area features sweet design details like Tom Dixon-like copper-colored light fixtures and multi-colored 3form partitions. Not surprisingly, it looks very similar to the fancy "Food Emporium" that's housed in the lower level of the Westfield Shopping Centre. Click on over to see the full gallery.
· Take a Look at the Revamped Metreon SF [Eater SF]
We're sure you know that Russian Hill is home to some very pricey and exclusive real estate, so we were quite pleased to find this 3-bed, 1-bath, 1,360 square foot condo relisted today. Asking price? $725,000, or $533 per square foot. The neighborhood average is $715 per square. This unit has actually been on and off the market since October of 2011, and we'd love to hear your thoughts on why this place can't seem to score a buyer. A Redfin agent has visited the abode and the only negative feedback was that the "kitchen could use an update," which we're going to have to agree with. Readers, what do you think? Monthly HOA dues are a very low $191 and there's 1-car leased parking for $300.
"Hopefully, the new Metreon will be relevant for the next couple of decades, and not just for the next two or three years," said Scott Vallee, vice president of the Westfield Group, which is the owner and developer of the Metreon. On Saturday, a portion of the $30M makeover of the Metreon will be unveiled to the public, including some new restaurants and a 470-seat dining terrace facing Yerba Buena Gardens. [SFGate]
Location: Unit #152 at 701 Minnesota, Central Waterfront
Location: Unit #16 at 68 Harriet, SoMa
Location: 20 Coleridge, Bernal Heights
Size: 1-bed, 1-bath; 561 square feet
Price: $425,000
Pitch: "This light & bright'' 1bed/1bath CONDO on a tree-lined street in sunny Bernal offers the advantages of City living at a starter home price. With deeded garage parking and an office alcove, this property makes the perfect pied-a-terre. Situated such that there's nobody above or below, it boasts interior access to the view roof top, and even a laundry chute from the unit to the private washer & dryer below. Freshly painted and with a large deeded storage area for all your extras, it's ready to move right in! And with easy access to parks, shops, cafes, freeways, & public transit (plus a WalkScore of 92), you're sure to enjoy all the delights of Bernal Heights!"
Our Take: The listing's pretty specific so we won't say much here. The kitchen's a little wonky but it's not a deal breaker. Monthly HOA dues are a low $187 and there's 1-car parking.
Open House: Saturday, 2 to 4PM and Sunday, 12 to 2PM
While most listings of this world feature walls that lie perpendicular to floors, certain architectural marvels take the UFO-like shape of a perfect half-sphere. Today Curbed National looks at five dome homes ranging from the California desert to the New Mexico desert to leafy upstate New York. [Curbed National]]]>
[Transamerica View 20120124 via Curbed Flickr Pool/Jeremy Brooks]
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