Update 1 April 2022: 850 Steiner Street has been reduced to $4,795,000. See the official MLS listing and contact me to schedule a private tour.

 

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One block north of San Francisco’s famous Postcard Row Painted Ladies, the Painted Gentlemen stand tall across from historic Alamo Square Park. Like many homes on the park, they are the product of a late 19th century building boom that saw the most skilled local architects of the day hired to flex their craft. Elaborately ornamented facades, beautiful rounded turrets, and all-around decorative excess — you’ll find the enchanting hallmarks of Queen Anne style here. 850 Steiner Street is no exception.

Historic photograph of Alamo Square Park pre-1906, showing the Painted Gentlemen along the eastern edge of the park on Steiner Street. 850 Steiner Street, with its distinctive corner turret, is just left of the shrub. Source: San Francisco Public Library

850 Steiner Street is marketed and exclusively listed by Coldwell Banker Realty. All listing photos courtesy of SFAR MLS.

Built circa 1899, this single-family house retains much of its original detailing alongside some modest updates. Gone is the dark interior woodwork, gas lighting, and underutilized basement. The home today features bright white living spaces, an eat-in kitchen with indoor/outdoor flow, contemporary baths, and a full 1-bedroom apartment setup downstairs. All in all, the place has four bedrooms, four full bathrooms, three half bathrooms, and approximately 4,125 square feet of interior area.

Having appeared for sale back in 2017 for as much as $5,650,000 before being reduced to $4,995,000, 850 Steiner Street failed to find a buyer. Then, this past November, it was listed for $5,125,000 — and, now at 100+ days on market, just got a price chop to $4,995,000. The house serves up a lot of great old-timey things, but it’s safe to say walking down the path again to a non-sale is not one of them. 

For what it’s worth, the house next door at 818 Steiner Street sold for $7,300,000 in March 2021 at just 5 days on market. Down the street, 714 Steiner Street (one of the famous Painted Ladies) sold in 2020 for $3,550,000 as a fixer not for the faint of heart. Across the park, 809 Scott Street (read about it here) is a strong comparable and currently Pending sale for surely more than the $5,300,000 list price.

So, it would seem, 850 Steiner Street is ripe for picking and worth a second look by well-heeled buyers seeking a trophy property.