The San Francisco Planning Commission is scheduled to review plans for a new mansion at 170 Sea Cliff Avenue in San Francisco’s affluent master-planned residence park. The application follows already-approved plans for a mirrored home at 178 Sea Cliff Avenue. Dan Friis is listed as the property owner.
170 Sea Cliff Avenue and 178 Sea Cliff Avenue street view, rendering by Mark Cavagnero Associates
170 Sea Cliff Avenue and 178 Sea Cliff Avenue cliff-side view, rendering by Mark Cavagnero Associates
Mark Cavagnero Associates is the project architect. The San Francisco-based firm has overseen the design of several projects recently complete or under construction across the city, including the Bowes Residences on South Van Ness, an academic building on the SFSU campus, the redesign of the Saint Ignatius College Preparatory High School Campus, an expansion of the Congregation of Emanu-El Synagogue outside of Presidio Terrace, and one of the rising housing blocks on Treasure Island.
For 170 Sea Cliff Avenue, the design studio’s approach exhibits the familiar contemporary style with floor-to-ceiling windows punched into undecorated limestone panels. The landscaping around the building will have attractive pavers for vehicles down the center of the lot, looking out toward unobstructed views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Interior renderings show the basements of each home fitted with a pool deck overlooking the ocean.
170 Sea Cliff Avenue and 178 Sea Cliff Avenue garage entry, rendering by Mark Cavagnero Associates
170 Sea Cliff Avenue basement pool view, rendering by Mark Cavagnero Associates
The 35-foot tall structures will yield around 11,400 square feet each, including four bedrooms and parking for two cars using a hidden car lift.
Sea Cliff is one of several residence parks in the city, also known as Garden Suburbs, that were developed after the 1906 earthquake. The neighborhood was first established in 1913 for the John Brickell Company. While most of the first homes were designed by Carl Bertz, three were designed by Willis Polk (9, 25, 45 Scenic Way) and one by Julia Morgan (50 Scenic Way). For a more in-depth neighborhood history, the city published a comprehensive study of eight residence parks in San Francisco, available here. The history of Sea Cliff starts on page 112 of the PDF.
170 Sea Cliff Avenue living room view, rendering by Mark Cavagnero Associates
170 Sea Cliff Avenue and 178 Sea Cliff Avenue, image by Google Street View
The property is two doors away from 224 Sea Cliff Avenue, a seven-bedroom home that belonged to the art scammer and real estate mogul Luke Brugnara. The property has struggled to sell since Brugnara was sentenced to jail for fraud in 2015.
City records show the property last sold in May 2019 for $11 million. Demolition will be required for two existing homes.
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That’s crazy! To demolish two perfectly good houses? Why is SF Planning allowing this?
Demolition of two homes, one of which seems to have sold for $11 million. So we’re talking about $22 just to buy the tear-downs?
I guess it’s true. Everyone’s abandoning SF.
I read the article to mean that the entire property was sold for $11 million.
Who cares what they do. Its their money. It has no effect on anyone.
The older building are more pleasing to the eye. I’m sure the wealthy Sea Cliff neighbors will fight the proposal.
“The floor-to-ceiling windows punched into undecorated limestone panels” could hardly be more out of character with the surrounding homes.
Why must all the buildings that have character be replaced by retangular boxes? When I was reading the article, and viewed the first image, I thought it was a shame that the proposed homes do not blend in with the neighborhood. I was also surprised that there were two vacant lots in Sea Cliff. Then I get to the end only to find out that two houses will demolished for two boxes?!?! That’s so wrong.
Agree with all the comments here. Surprised to read they will tear down the 2 homes to build 2 new ones. Must be intended for foreign investors or buyers as clearly would not happen with Bay Area natives. Shame out cities are starting to look so strange now. All the new buildings no longer look like Bay Area that we love. As a Bay Area native I just wish all these strange people and companies would just go away and leave u
s alone.
Some people like the rectangular boxes, sharp lines, it is all subjective. It is their money, land, they are not offensive. I like the fact not everyone likes the something because diversity makes things interesting. I don’t like the 1950 Palm Springs Architecture, but I have a friend who loves it and the furnishings of that period too.
The existing houses are by no means architectural masterpieces. I’m not sad at all to see them torn down and replaced. I’m surprised there are so many negative reactions. It seems to me that SFYIMBY is full of NIMBYs. If the existing houses are your definition of “SF Character” then I beg you to adopt better taste.
Most important is having a neighbor that has an indoor beach front basketball court!
“Allow”?!
Some of these comments are hilarious.