Ironically Dubbed “Sequoia House” On The Market For $2.6M
April 16, 2015
Purchased as a half-finished project for $951,000 in cash on the courthouse steps in early 2014, the Upper Market home at 3066 Market Street has just returned to the market in a fully-finished state and listed for $2,595,000 ($1,040 per square foot).
While Maven Investments was planning to chop down the 75-foot-tall redwood tree behind the home in order to provide a more “open aesthetic” and “family friendly” backyard for the project, the Corona Heights neighbors rallied their Supervisor, Scott Wiener, and the Sequoiadendron giganteum at 3066 Market was granted Landmark Tree status last year, putting an end to any plans for the removal of the tree.
And now, the home has now been dubbed “The Sequoia House,” a “designer home of sophisticated finish & modern elegance,” by the marketing team.
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The tree makes the backyard. The marketing solution they landed on seems inevitable, and I’m surprised it took the LM status to make the developer/owner rethink the strategy.
I agree with you, friscan. Especially one that might be older, judging by it’s trunk size.
Why would anyone think that owners would rather look out at the backs of other units, instead of at a beautiful tree?
Agreed. I am still mourning the loss of a massive Monterey Pine that had to be cut down in my backyard (it had succumb to pine pitch canker, so we had to cut it). Still have the birch tree that was next to it, but the yard doesn’t feel complete anymore. A bit drab and empty.
If you can’t fix it, feature it.
That’s S. sempervirens, isn’t it, not S. giganteum?
No, it’s S. giganteum.
If that’s a Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) then I’d be very surprised. They’re not the backyard trees that Coast Redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) are. However, if it is a Giant Sequoia then that may explain why it received the Landmark Tree status. Their native range is thousands of feet above sea level in the Sierra. It’s a long way from home.
You can find the history of the tree online.
For those who truly have nothing else to do in life.
Can you give me the online history site. I’m related to Daryl Adams that planted the tree and contributed family information to help in this process. It would be nice to see a write-up of the total history that was discovered. I’m so pleased it has been landmarked! Thanks for all your efforts!
It is a long way from home. My uncle worked for the forestry dept and brought it to his sister to plant in her back yard (3066 Market St) in the 1940’s. It came from Yosemite.
It came from Yosemite? Then the tree has symbolic significance since SF as we know it could not be possible without Yosemite’s water.
Large trees are a major liability and a hefty expense to maintain (probably about 1k a year)… they are nice, but if they are in your backyard there are definitely reasons you might want to get rid of them.
I also agree with you wyatt…
Yeah, but for the neighbors who get to enjoy them from a few backyards over, it’s a free lunch. The city loves that sort of meal.
Oh boo hoo, the house costs $2.6 million, I don’t think $1,000 a year in tree maintenance (which is an exaggeration in any event) is going to break the bank.
Oh boo hoo, only $1000 a year for the tree won’t break the bank. But another 3% obamacare, 13% california, 39.6 federal, 1.17% property tax, 9% sales tax, ssi tax, parking sticker tax, parking tickets – which are a tax, the list goes on and on. You’ll be coming up with new water taxes soon. Oh boo hoo to all the working people who have to pay your penalties.
Let “Freedom” ring!
Sure, it would be easy to get a crane into that backyard if major limbs need to come out…
Just curious: why would you want to get rid of big trees in your backyard? I understand it’s a hassle to clean up, but if it is not at significant risk of falling over, wouldn’t it be fairly enjoyable to have a tree beneath which to sit?
Maybe. Or maybe it blocks too much light makes the interior of your house dark. And regardless of whether it’s at risk of falling over, the root systems can cause huge drainage problems/expenses.
Sunlight is not blocked at all. Two arborists reports deemed it in healthy condition and not a risk.
That’s fine. Jack’s question was a general one about why anyone would ever want to get rid of a tree in his/her backyard, not a question about this particular tree.
Well some sunlight is obviously blocked. It’s a big tree.
If the tree doesn’t cast a shadow, does that mean it’s a vampire?
You can do day-lighting on trees. Hire a guy to climb up and safely trim branches. Boom, instant light.
Now that it is landmarked, one cannot just chop away. There are certain requirements regarding trimming. Requires a certified arborist and consultation with DPW.
Seriously? Get rid of a gorgeous tree because you are racked with fear?
Wow. just wow.
Seriously. “Oh no! There is too much nature outdoors!”
Best part of the house is the backyard and tree. Interior is meh. Poorly designed, generically finished.
Typical from [Maven] “developments”. Guy practices bender-meets-politics-remarketing with fabled tree and thinks he’s the sh!t.
Agreed. I would add the facade of the house as a plus, too. Curb and backyard appeal.
supposed to be an El Nino year next year. we’ll see how well the torrential rains and a giant tree on a hillside mix.
it could get undermined and take out 5 houses if it falls just right.
What? This tree has already survived several El Nino cycles. What makes you think next year will be different?
construction, erosion, drainage, fungus/infestation, neighbor re-does their yard and severs some roots, just speaking statistically.
I don’t suppose I’d be allowed to build an epic treehouse/man cave 70 feet up that thing?
Only one showerhead in the bathroom? Get with the program!
One can easily get rid of a tree if there is a strong enough desire. Figure out what naturally kills the particular tree and infect it so it dies a natural death. People want euthanasia in certain situations. Same goes for trees. As for free-loading neighbors who want to keep someone else’s trees, either offer to chip in a couple of hundred of dollars for its annual upkeep, or shut up and plant your own tree in your back yard.
If BrisketLover wants a man cave/high end tree house, go ahead and build one. Makes sure it is safe because you don’t want it to topple over and hurt your man parts.
I noticed a 200+ year old coast oak that was “assassinated” several years ago. It was rather sad because the oak wasn’t in the way of any structures. It was probably wiped out just for aesthetic reasons.
The developer, Maven Investments, may be the most mis-named company ever. He is anything but a maven with his initial obsession with cutting the tree down. But so many of the comments here sound like they came straight out of Fox News: “working people who have to pay your penalties….” or the advice on how to kill the tree.
You say Republican, I say Libertarian. Tomato, tomahto.
UPDATE: $200,000 has just been trimmed from the Sequoia House price, now asking $2,395,000.
UPDATE: House With Landmark Giant Sequoia Sells For $2.325M
checked this out in 2011 when it was $400-something-K, what a bargain in retrospect (like most things in SF)…