The Mullen Buildings Development consists of three buildings: 60 Rausch and 73 Sumner (both built in the 1920’s and converted to lofts in 2002), and 52 Rausch (new construction). We have architect George Hauser to thank for the conversion and design (and we do).
The Mullen Buildings were originally constructed in the 1920’s during a South of Market industrial building boom. The complex housed the Mullen Company, which designed and constructed architectural millwork for banks and other businesses. Progenitors for the modernist industrial esthetic, the Mullen Buildings have now been artfully converted into high-quality lofts.
Of the 37 units in 60 Rausch, three are currently Active on the MLS (#208, #209, #312); of the 16 units in 73 Sumner, one is currently Active (#401); and as far as we know, none of the 8 units in 52 Rausch are currently on the market.
∙ 52 Rausch Street: Mullen Building Lofts [Baumeister Collective]
∙ 60 Rausch Street: Mullen Buildings Live-Work Lofts [Baumeister Collective]
∙ 73 Sumner Street: Mullen Buildings Live-Work Lofts [Baumeister Collective]
∙ Listing: 60 Rausch Street #208 (2/1.5) – $799,000 [MLS]
∙ Listing: 60 Rausch Street #209 (2/1.5) – $799,000 [MLS]
∙ Listing: 60 Rausch Street #312 (2/2) – $749,000 [863 Katy]
∙ Listing: 73 Sumner Street #401 (3/2.5) – $935,000 [Urban Bay]
The Mullen/Rausch buildings are some of the very few nicely done loft projects in SOMA but, alas, the hood is sub-optimal.
“Sub-optimal?” PWB, with the use of words like that, you probably could successfully sell oceanfront property in Arizona.
Let’s try to keep it real for those “plugging in” and call it like it is. That area is a toilet/war zone and it’s not likely to change anytime soon. Why do you think they can sell a brand new 3/2.5 condo for $935K (which is still outrageously overpriced considering the area).
I think “sub-optimal” is a better description than “toilet/war zone.”
If I were a potential buyer, I’d pay attention to noise levels, from neighboring industry and nightclubs, but I wouldn’t be afraid of the neighborhood.
Ok, Dan, fine, so maybe I went a little overboard in using the term “toilet/war zone”, but I definitely do not agree that “sub-optimal” is anywhere near accurate.
Can we agree on “less than desirable” and call it a day?
Our two cents: We agree, it’s hardly a “war zone” (and not nearly as down-and-out as sixth street north of Harrison). And we agree that it’s more of an industrial/commercial location than other SOMA locations to the East (but for some that’s actually a plus). And while we can’t get on board with “less than desirable,” we definitely agree that it shouldn’t be priced the same as a more established neighborhood.
Ok, fine, so if we are trying to be politically correct and not unecessarily ruffle the feathers of those either living in or thinking about living in that area, I can’t really argue with the sentiments of SocketSite.
It’s really more of an individual taste thing than anything else. As great looking as the Mullen Building conversion looks, I just could not bring myself to live in that neighborhood, barring an absolute steal as to price. I live in Rincon Hill and therefore know that area very well.
Therefore, respectfully, I’m sticking with “less than desirable” but I will fully retract my previous reference to the neighborhood as a “toilet/war zone.”
Desirability is in the eye of the beholder.
I was just in the neighborhood of these condos last night, when a passing stranger asked me if I could recommend a Chinese or Thai restaurant nearby. I directed him to Basil, on Folsom between 7th and 8th Sts. He then asked, “Is it safe to walk?”
I thought that he must be from Danville or Walnut Creek or something, so I asked him where he was from. He said, “New York.” I guess to a Manhattan yuppie, SOMA seems scary–now that Manhattan has gentrified into Disneyland. And if you live in South Beach or even Rincon Hill, the area around Folsom and 8th St may seem sketchy by comparison.
I remember looking at the Rausch development back in 2002 but quickly decided against it after I saw the line around the corner at the methadone clinic on Howard. This reminds me of the Theater Lofts @ 560 Haight — I really liked the units and like to hang out in that neighborhood but don’t think I want walk out the front door to that grime every morning.
“Grime.” Great word, and certainly applicable.
So wow it looks like we’re getting some, as Fox News would say (and erroneously of course), “fair and balanced” blogging as to the desirability of that neighborhood. Although, as Dan stated, desirability, like art, is definitely in the eye of the beholder.
I used to live on 8th/Minna, lots of strange birds cruising the area. There were the occasional screamers in the middle of the night at the halfway house across from Harvest Market. Harvest had to close their south entrance due to shoplifters. I liked the central location (easy to catch cabs), the main reason I left was the increase in condo units being built there and Mission Bay, sold my unit in May, bought a SFD.
Someone who says they are from New York may be from Syracuse.
I live in the IronWorks lofts, not too far from the Rausch addresses and sometimes walk my dog down that way. Of course, I ALWAYS pick up after my dog yet I frequently will walk pass a “mess” left by someone else. Not by their dog. But by them. One quick, gross glance to realize there’s no way that came from a dog.
That, folks, is one of the many pleasantries of life in SOMA….I’ve been here two, long, pee-smelling, shopping-cart condos on every corner, meth’d-out toothless wonders- filled years.
I’ll pass and take the wonders of a white-bred Cow Hollow anyday as opposed to a crack den. While I’m all for diversity, there’s a time and a place – and I’m not about to rest a $1m investment and my daily happiness on it.
Hm. And my own agent was telling me this is an “up-and-coming” area (700 block of Tehama) … I must have “village idiot” tatooed across my forehead. After all, the agent would NEVER lie to me, would s/he???
Up-and-coming when? In the year 2050?
After living in San Francisco for over 20 years now it has become a basic law of physics to me: the more interesting the new architecture, the worse the location.
“Up and coming” means it hasn’t arrived there yet. With the new Federal Building, the SOMA Grand, the replacement for Trinity Plaza, and likely other new housing in the works, one can certainly argue that the neighborhood has prospects for improvement.
If you want to live in Cow Hollow, probably you are not the type to live in mid-SOMA. On the other hand, you won’t get a stylish new 2 bedroom condo in Cow Hollow for 749k.
I’m well aware what “up and coming” means. It’s just a matter of WHEN.
Please… let’s be honest… SOMA will always be what it is… industrial…
“When” the area will improve is soon– there’s a lot of new building already going on, or already approved.
However, that part of SOMA will always be a little rough. The shelters and recovery houses aren’t going away.
Industrial? There is hardly any real “industry” left in SOMA…what there is is printing shops and the like. Unfortunately, romanticists of a fabled past lock up the potential for SOMA through zoning regulations. Now that the new construction loft option is pretty much gone (it produced a &*(&-load of horrible housing, but at least it was housing), it’s real hard to do anything in the neighborhood that doesn’t have the explicit approval of the non-profit housing mafia. That’s why all the large scale housing development is in Rincon Hill/South Beach/Mission Bay.
I, for one, think it would be great to have more moderately dense (say 5-8 story) buildings on some of the major streets, and keep the alleys small scale residential. SOMA should never be Rincon Hill, but it could be so much more than it is. The area seriously needs some street life, and it’s just too spotty to support it right now. And along with densification, it also needs some serious public investment in streetscape and widened sidewalks. But don’t hold your breath!
Seeing one’s “neighbor” hanging gargantuan “tapestry” of a marijuana leaf that says “High Times” most certainly leaves something to be desired. Develop mid-SOMA and drive out the homeless and crackheads? There would undoubtedly be mutiny among the “methadonians.” I don’t think I could hold my breath until 2050.
Based on the incredibly colorful posts that have followed my original take on this particular part of SOMA, I am now recanting my earlier retraction and am sticking with…
“Toilet/war zone.”
I have been a resident in 60 Rausch for over five years and it is really a great place to live. The people who are complaining about the neighborhood don’t live there and can’t vouch the safety of the location. The diversity of the neighborhood includes industry, live/work lofts, nightclubs, and yes, homeless people who are in other neighborhoods as well. The units have been nicely done and I love the fact that I can walk to BART in 5 minutes.
i bought a house on sumner street ten years ago and it’s changed a lot since then. in 2000 the mullen building was under construction, our neighbor (55 sumner) was a joe boxer warehouse, and we had a homeless camp at the end of our street which had four or five people there. that has all changed.
i love it here. if you think it’s a toilet, it’s obviously not for you.