Built in 1892, this Painted Lady Queen Anne Victorian at 722 Ste…
Built in 1892, this Painted Lady Queen Anne Victorian at 722 Steiner St. in San Francisco was the first of developer Matthew Kavanaugh’s Seven Sisters. The anchor home on Post Card Row, it is slightly different than the other six homes he built to its right. After years of abuse and neglect, it was slated for demolition, but the current owners saved it from that brutal fate, preserving history for years to come.
Mitchell Shenker Photography/NanaWall Systems
The new owners are gourmet home chefs and entertain regularly so…
The new owners are gourmet home chefs and entertain regularly so a functional and spacious kitchen was on the top of their priority list. The once cramped galley-style kitchen now is an open area with room to prep and cook comfortably and accommodate guests in their central gathering space.
Mitchell Shenker Photography/NanaWall Systems
The newly enlarged kitchen features state-of-the-art Dacor appli…
The newly enlarged kitchen features state-of-the-art Dacor appliances, ample cabinet space and a floor-to-ceiling folding glass wall from NanaWall Systems leading to the deck. But getting here wasn’t easy. Increasing the size required the removal of a wall that contained a chimney to the roof. This meant structural changes needed to be implemented with surgical precision, a task general contractor ORB Construction said was the most challenging aspect of the project. “The most intricate phase of the work involved bringing in the header, which would span the length of the kitchen,” recalled ORB owner Brendan O’Reilly. “It was a 14-foot-long, eight-by-eight steel I-beam, which we had to crane in through the window.”
Mitchell Shenker Photography/NanaWall Systems
With the wall now gone and safety features in place, the owners …
With the wall now gone and safety features in place, the owners now can focus on welcoming guests and sharing their stunning views of Alamo Square Park.
The living room captures the essence of this remodel that preser…
The living room captures the essence of this remodel that preserved the home's history while still providing the comforts of the modern age.
With its metallic tile, steel light and plumbing fixtures with m…
With its metallic tile, steel light and plumbing fixtures with matte finish, and exposed pipes, the guest bath on the first floor of the Painted Lady packs a powerful design punch in a tight space.
The master bathroom of this remodeled Painted Lady includes a fr…
The master bathroom of this remodeled Painted Lady includes a freestanding tub, the perfect melding of Victorian and modern design.
Featured in more than 70 films, commercials, and television shows, this Painted Lady Queen Anne Victorian on Postcard Row in San Francisco is perhaps best known for its appearance in the opening credits of Full House. Despite its fame, the 120-year-old, 4,800-square-foot beauty—which boasts 6 bedrooms and 5 1/2 baths—was in need of a major makeover. Sadly, thanks to years of visitor tours, private parties, events and general neglect, the home fell into near disrepair and at one point even was slated for demolition.
In 2014, however, new owners stepped in and vowed to save the historic structure. Butler Armsden Architects of San Francisco and ORB Construction of Half Moon Bay, Calif., teamed up to bring the house at 722 Steiner Street into the 21st century. From the outside the home looks the same, but on the inside, Victorian details such as chandeliers, crown moldings, and baseboards are accentuated by modern amenities including a security system, an open floor plan in the kitchen, and structural changes to meet current seismic requirements.
Check out the slideshow above to see how the house has been transformed. Then, check out the video below for an even more in-depth look at the project.
Erin Ansley is a frequent freelancer for Pool and Spa News and Aquatics International. She has been a professional journalist since 2001. When not sleuthing the web for the latest news or calling on sources in the construction industry for the inside scoop, Erin can be found surfing waves along the California coast, challenging her athletic limits in her favorite CrossFit box, playing drums with her indie rock band, and spending time with her daughter and husband.
