Planning permits have been approved for the seaside mansion at 496 Sea Cliff Avenue in San Francisco. In the ultra-wealthy Sea Cliff neighborhood, the project is being built for one the richest residents, the trust of former presidential candidate and local billionaire Tom Steyer. Amy Lee of 3S San Francisco, a permit expediting firm, is responsible for the application.
496 Sea Cliff Avenue central courtyard view, rendering by Sean Bailey Design and Studio Earth Work
496 Sea Cliff Avenue seen from China Beach, rendering by Sean Bailey Design and Studio Earth Work
496 Sea Cliff Avenue aerial view, rendering by Sean Bailey Design and Studio Earth Work
Sean Bailey Design and Studio Earth Work are jointly responsible for the design. The plan set shows a biophilic modern house with a cascade of terraces capped with native grass to camouflage the house. Cedarwood soffits and panels will bring additional warmth in contrast to the basalt pavers and structural concrete walls. The shifting volumes and open courtyards are reminiscent of the influential Fallingwater House by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Plans include a three-story home and a junior accessory dwelling unit, or ADU. The structure will be comprised of steel, wood, and concrete superstructures. Construction is expected to cost around $4 million. The project team has yet to reply to a request for comment as of the time of publication.
496 Sea Cliff Avenue views of Golden Gate Park and China Beach, rendering by Sean Bailey Design and Studio Earth Work
494 (right) and 496 Sea Cliff Avenue (left) existing condition, image via Google Satellite
The property is owned by the Tom Steyer and Kat Taylor Revocable Trust. The family is also the owner of the adjacent home at 494 Sea Cliff Avenue. Steyer gained wealth as the founder of Farallon Capital, among many other ventures, including environmental activism, and he ran for president in 2020. While he is certainly among the richer known residents of the neighborhood, he is by no means the wealthiest when compared with the tech magnates Jack Dorsey and Marc Benioff. Former residents have been Ansel Adams and Robin Williams.
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