A dilapidated building in San Francisco’s North Beach area is set for demolition, despite attempts by tenant rights activists to halt the process and push for years of remediation efforts.
The Verdi Building, located at 659 Union Street, has stood empty since it was damaged in two separate fires in 2013 and 2018. Only the brick façade and some temporary supports remain.
Red Bridge Partners, a real estate firm, submitted plans in 2023 to redevelop the site, but faced strong resistance from neighborhood groups, including the North Beach Tenant Committee. The building has become increasingly neglected, with the city’s Building Inspection Department deeming it unsafe in a report earlier this year, citing concerns about potential collapse.
In response, Red Bridge sought an emergency permit to remove part of the wall to mitigate risks, receiving approval from the city’s deputy director of historic preservation. Despite initiating some work, further progress was halted after an appeal was filed by residents. City supervisor Danny Sauter noted the complexities involved.
Some, including the Telegraph Hill Dwellers, argue for demolition, claiming it circumvents returning tenants displaced by fire and misrepresents minor repair promises. On the flip side, preservationists are fighting to keep some of the building’s historical elements intact, hoping to replace it with a 23-unit apartment structure with commercial space below.
However, CEO Jeff Jurow revealed plans last year for a more extensive redevelopment: an eight-story building with 89 apartments and commercial facilities, which would mean removal of the existing façade.
Concerns linger among community members that demolition may enable Jurow’s plans to proceed, but he contended that safety was his primary focus regarding the emergency permit. He mentioned during a meeting that the safety hazards posed by the remaining structure needed immediate attention while still contemplating preserving some historical features.
Jurow also pointed out that the rights of tenants to return after the fire have likely expired, but expressed a desire to explore ways to assist them. Sauter acknowledged the valid concerns of those invested in preservation but emphasized the need to address public safety promptly. “When experts identify a danger, it’s our duty to act,” he stated.
At a recent Board of Appeals meeting, members opted to investigate the matter further instead of immediately resolving the appeal. They called for additional legal insights and more information from Red Bridge, allowing tenant groups time to enlist an expert’s assessment of the building’s condition.
Ultimately, on May 20, an appeals committee voted to deny the request, affirming that the permit had been properly granted. Yet, this decision can still be appealed, meaning Jurow expects demolition work to remain in limbo for now.
His company plans to implement temporary community spaces on part of the site while longer-term strategies are figured out. Jurow expressed increasing concern over the building’s stability, stating, “The risk has escalated following the initial demolition efforts. It poses a greater danger to the public now than it did just weeks ago.”
