1242 Sacramento
Quintessential isn’t a word that should be bandied about carelessly. And while the photography isn’t the best, and the style isn’t necessarily all us, we can’t argue with the listing nor the Parisian curb appeal of 1242 Sacramento.
Credit Arthur Laib for the quintessential building design (circa 1916).
∙ Listing: 1242 Sacramento #6 (1/1.5) – $1,099,000 [MLS]

26 thoughts on “Comment Dit-On “Quintessential” En Francais? (1242 Sacramento)”
  1. Beautiful, not modern, not cold, lovely details. I even like the toile wallpaper in the bathroom. It all just works together.

  2. The oeuil-de-boeufs are definitely parisian as are the balconies.
    The style has nothing to do with what parisians were doing at the time (smooth curved surfaces, very lean pre-art deco).
    Plus, we’re talking about wood, stucco, and plaster not actual carved stone like Paris. Parisian houses will last 500 years without major renovations. Their builders had actual foresight at the time.

  3. No question about that. Better have a wood or metal structure in earthquake country.
    My comment has more to do with the fact that you have to gut your house every 30-50-100 years here and it costs an arm and leg. Houses were not built to really last that long.

  4. Had Parisian build wood strucutured houses, these houses would not be there today. This is what foresight is.
    The structures BEFORE the Haussmann period were a mixed bag of wood, unfinished stoned held together with mortar and (yes) landfill material.
    In 1851, builders started going through a new phase of stone carved building. Mechanical advances and new money from industrialists and capitalists motivated the construction of places that were designed to provincials used to castles or bourgeois houses.
    People complained a lot about these new houses, killing the “charm and character” of older structures.
    Speculation led to overbuilding, which meant democratization of luxurious buildings and Paris is better thanks to this capitalistic adventure.

  5. So then, by that logic, it was foresight which caused the local San Francisco builders to build with wood? That’s why you brought up foresight? You didn’t mean to contrast SF builders with Parisian builders, it only reads that way by accident?
    Naah. You aren’t fooling anyone. Every day the same thing.

  6. Oeil vs. Oeuil, I agree. It depends if you speak old french or new french. Architects have frozen the term to the old spelling.
    Why wouldn’t these 2 round openings called oeil/oeuil de boeuf? Would you educate us?

  7. Fluj,
    I said Parisian builders that built these stone houses had foresight. I have seen the renovation of a pre-1800 building in Paris and it was not a pretty sight. Haussmann buildings (what this building is trying to emulate) are way sturdier.
    Don’t put words in my mouth and lighten up a little.

  8. Quintessential is hard to translate. In this context, it could be, “à l’apogée de son style”, but I’d rather say “somptueux”.
    fronzzz, the long axis of an oeuil de beuf is horizontal.

  9. Fronz,
    You always do the same thing. You make a point that’s flat wrong. You then try to back off of it, all the while using trivia to deflect criticism and cloud the issue. You’re out of your depth on here but you post more than anybody. I am lightened up already. It’s funny!

  10. “So then, by that logic, it was foresight which caused the local San Francisco builders to build with wood?”
    Indeed, in general. However, given the likely maintenance costs, it may not be foresight to build a place _in this style_ given said need to construct it with wood and plaster.
    Anyway, pointless quibbling aside, I love the look of this place both inside and outside and will go and take a look during Sunday’s open house. Too bad it’s only a 1 bedroom.

  11. Good golly Miss Molly.
    Sometimes reading these threads I feel like I’ve been thrust into a sequel of The Boys in the Band.
    Vous me faites chier.

  12. I like it. It’s pricey for a 1br but it looks pretty nice and that location is awesome. Anyone with more knowledge of the area care to chime in on whether its priced reasonably?

  13. fronzzz is right about the outrage. Baudelaire echoed the feeling: “La forme d’une ville change plus vite, hélas!, que le coeur d’un mortel” (no human heart changes half so fast as a city’s face).

  14. “So then, by that logic, it was foresight which caused the local San Francisco builders to build with wood?”
    Indeed, in general
    Either that or all the redwood trees in the area and a lack of stone quarries commonly found in Europe.

  15. Those fire escapes are a crying shame. I’d almost rather burn than hide my house behind those horrible diagonal things. Other than that, I agree, this place has scrumptious curb appeal!!

  16. I’m not that familiar with condo prices in Nob Hill, but it seems like a good value compared with what passes for “luxury” in new buildings South of Market.
    Quality construction, great location, superb views, 1-2 parking spaces + storage..albeit only a 1BR/1.5BA.
    As to the decor, it looks like Early French Bordello (not that I’d know).

  17. Why not rip out the interiors and transform this unit into another “Dwell” magazine look-a-like which seems to be so popular with so many?
    Of course I don’t really want to see another interior remodel complete with “Aquaturd” chop pillows and Room & Board furniture, but it shows how nice it is to see a building and interior that has not gone towards the typical look which is now a favorite of the real estate and house flipping community.

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