A 165 Year Old SoMa Sanctuary For The Work-From-Home Era

The discovery of gold in Sutter Creek near Coloma, California on 24 January 1848 commenced a migration of more than 300,000 dream-chasers to the western territory over the following decade. Approximately half of these newcomers arrived by sea, transforming the sparsely-populated port town of San Francisco into an instant city with 25,000 residents practically overnight. So-called Happy Valley — aptly named for its sunshine, shelter from prevailing winds, spring water and carefree inhabitants — was a booming neighborhood by the mid-1850s with roads, shops, foundries, churches, and dense residential development in what is now South of Market.

Source: SFAR MLS

One of the early inhabitants, Stephen Brosnahan, entered into contract with the Spring Valley Water Works for utility service at 664 Natoma Street on 3 August 1857. The Application and Agreement that miraculously survived the Great Earthquake of 1906 is perhaps the earliest record of Bosnahan’s real estate holding, which itself was destroyed in the subsequent fires that consumed 500+ city blocks and left approximately 80 percent of San Francisco in ruin. Courtesy of OpenSFHistory, photographs of Natoma & 7th Streets and Market & 7th Streets show the magnitude of devastation.

Shaded areas on the map below represent areas burned in 1906, spanning the full width of South of Market and up to seven blocks south of Market Street. While the earthquake lasted less than a minute, the fire lasted for three days.

Source: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration

A 2011 South of Market Area Historic Resource Survey identifies 664 Natoma Street as having been rebuilt in 1906. The flat-front Italianate Victorian style in which the home was designed persists today, complete with shiplap siding and dentil moulding along its cornice.

James Brosnahan, presumably a descendent of Stephen, owned the property by 1909 as reflected in the One Hundred Vara Survey published that year. Over the next 100 years, 664 Natoma Street changed hands several times, endured economic booms and busts and neighborhood redevelopment, and was extensively renovated with structural, system and safety improvements.

Source: historicmapworks.com

As it exists today, 664-666 Natoma Street is a mixed-use duplex consisting of a 3-bed/2-bath residential unit above commercial space. Contemporary finishes, rich hardwood flooring, abundant skylights and an open-concept layout lend an unmistakably modern flair to the historic home. At the rear of the +/-1,400 square foot upper level, a primary bedroom suite and full-width deck overlooks an uber private patio that recalls the old Barbary Coast with its weatherworn masonry (and intriguing door to nowhere).

664-666 Natoma Street is marketed and listed exclusively by cooperating broker Corcoran Global Living. Listing photos above courtesy of SFAR MLS.

Downstairs, behind the single-vehicle garage, the commercial unit is a +/- 1,300 square foot blank canvas. The shear volume of space is conducive to flexible multi-purpose functions. At least one previous tenant used it as offices, and it’s outfitted with a kitchenette and two half-baths for convenience. If there’s any property currently for sale in San Francisco that makes working from home easy, this is it! The unit could also be rented out to generate income. The possibilities limited only by one’s imagination!

664-666 Natoma Street is marketed and listed exclusively by cooperating broker Corcoran Global Living. Listing photos above courtesy of SFAR MLS.

664-666 Natoma Street is currently listed for $1,995,000, freshly painted and fully vacant for an owner/user to move right in. This unique property is a gem, and the next owner is sure to have some envious friends. We’ll be one of them. Contact us today to arrange a private showing and put in a winning offer. The price is right!

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