As we wrote when the old industrial building at 67-69 Belcher Street hit the market in 2007:
“Born a furniture warehouse, 67-69 Belcher was destined to be demolished and redeveloped (into condos) in the early 1980’s. Instead, artist Spaulding Taylor and partner acquired the Duboce Triangle property converting half into a one of kind residence designed by architect Ira Kurlander and Johnathan Straley (67 Belcher), and the other half into 10,000+ square feet of gallery space and art studios (69 Belcher).
The residence consists of over 4,000 square feet of interior living space; an additional 1,400 square feet of outdoor courtyards, gardens and terraces; and a 2,900 square foot private art studio (which can be accessed through a hidden door in the walk-though master closet). Ceiling height reaches to 22 feet in the main room and a wall of windows and glass doors floods the space with natural light. And while technically a two bedroom, for all intents and purposes it’s one dramatic master loft with a guest suite (including full bathroom, fireplace, and garden) and office (with Moorish courtyard) to the side.
The modern concrete, steel and wood kitchen (with two ranges, ovens, dishwashers and sinks) stands the test of time (although we’d expect a buyer to replace the “retro” appliances post haste). And the Taylor designed table on wheels (which we’ll assume is part of the offering) can be split in two and each half independently raised or lowered.
And of course, there’s that master bathroom which features a pair of nickel silver basins set in slab of green glass and supported by stainless steel piping; a skylight, and two open showers in a room that doesn’t matter what gets wet (“walls are coated with a pristine white waterproof epoxy and the floors with Deco-Rez, an epoxy and sand mix”).
And while very few will be able to afford it (asking $6,900,000), as least you get to know what’s behind those ivy covered walls. And perhaps you’ll find some inspiration for a project of your own.”
Alas, the property withdrawn from the MLS without a reported sale three months later. But today, 67-69 Belcher has just returned to the market listed for $12.5 million, touting a 40-foot height limit for the site.
The Taylor designed table on wheels is nowhere to be seen.
UPDATE: We stand corrected. While no longer near the kitchen, and currently split in two, the Taylor designed table remains:
All that ivy is likely ruining the walls, adding both dead load to the lateral (seismic) forces, and the roots degrading the mortar….maybe that’s why they’re practically having to give it away.
Sure as an astute SF real estate follower you must recognize campsis radicans (trumpet vine) when you see it, given its widespread occurrence in San Francisco. While it does tend to grow quite rapidly and winds its way around, I’ve never seen it do any damage to walls.
The jury is out, but why take the chance (??) post-quake litigation could easily wipe out the $X.YM proceeeds from even a successful flip.
The table on wheels is still there – it’s visible on the right in the first interior photo (from high up in the loft) on the realtor’s website.
Way way back I spent occasional weekends in that place…..it was all filthy & dark: vice reigned.
If I recall there was only a tiny 2 story part towards the front, whilst the rest was (rather cavernously) divided into 2 dank floors, connected by one steep, rickety stairway in front.
A pal wanted to raze it for condos, which I discouraged (knew the place was neat), but local planning authorities agreed more with me, and my buddy sold the place, and bought a nearby disco…..which is now slated for condos.
If someone buys this building and the Blockbuster building/rear parking lot, they’d have a huge lot ripe for condos or Trader Joe’s.
or both
UPDATE: The listing for 67-69 Belcher Street has been withdrawn from the MLS without a reported sale.
Now listed for $7M.
UPDATE: (New) Plans to Raze a One of Kind Residence and Build Up