syncopated architecture

2355 Bay Street: Unit 4

One of our regular clients found this incredible investment property and threw down a challenge – have a permit in hand and be swinging hammers in just one months’ time. Challenge accepted! We designed the full project, including renovations to 3 units and a vertical addition in record time. While our client was working on the renovations for Units 2 and 3, we spend 3 years working through permit approvals for the vertical addition. (That’s actually fast in San Francisco; similar projects can take 5+ years).

Prior to starting this project, Unit 4 was a single story, 1-bedroom, 1-bath unit. Now it’s a stunning 3-bedroom/3-bathroom townhouse with expansive views of the city and direct access to a shared roof deck overlooking the Palace of Fine Arts. We think it was well worth the wait.

Credits

• Contractor:

  • Doherty Restoration
    dohertyrestoration.com
    415.695.1494

• Photographer:

  • Open Homes Photography
    openhomesphotography.com

• 
• We moved this unit into the modern era, eliminating the formal individua rooms in favor of a large open-concept living/dining/cooking space. Our client’s wife decorated every unit including furniture, artwork, and light fixtures. Here she took a more modern, streamlined approach to the finishes, pulling in lighter colored woods and sleek cabinets. The overall feel is warm, welcoming, and homey.
• With the kitchen, we opened up the entire room, actually moving it into an adjacent space to carve out room for a 3rd bedroom at this level. Before, the cabinets were narrower than standard, with tile countertops, making cooking a real challenge. Now the counter space, high end appliances, and eat-in island make this kitchen a dream to cook in.
• Prior to our renovation, each room was closed off from one another in a very formal layout. We opened up all the walls on the third floor so the living, dining, and cooking spaces all flow into each other. Dark, closed rooms were transformed into light, airy spaces.
• The new 4th story created the space we needed for 2 large bedrooms, each with their own bathroom. We placed the master suite at the rear of the property, facing an expansive view of the city. To maximize this view, we installed a small rear deck for this room, with a telegraphing door to open it up all the way. A recessed television, fireplace, and 2 smaller windows with views of the golden gate bridge make this master bedroom a true sanctuary.
• One of the best parts about creating the new 4th story, was the opportunity to build this sunny deck with panoramic views from the Palace of Fine Arts all the way to downtown. Because of the large attic space over the third floor, we were able to tuck this new deck behind the historic façade with room to spare.
  
  This roof deck features a hot tub, large outdoor space, hook-ups for a rooftop fireplace, and connects via a sliding window to an indoor kitchen space for the ultimate in entertaining.