Historic Home in St. Francis Wood Clears Hurdles to Become a Showcase

St. Francis Wood is renowned and sometimes feared in the building community for strict restoration codes and an expensive, time-consuming process to get exterior projects approved. Homeowners Noreen and Mike Heavey bought this home in August of 2002 and spent about 26 months from the date of purchase to wind their way through the process before they could move in.

The home, located at 250 Santa Paula, was designed and built in the 1920s by Angus McSweeney, a San Francisco architect, who is credited with having collaborated on one of the first designs of St. Mary’s Cathedral and for designing high rise apartment buildings in Russian Hill and Nob Hill. After McSweeny and his family moved out, a local attorney purchased it and later left the property vacant for over 25 years.

The Heavey’s bought the home (which at that point had become dilapidated) at a probate sale for over $900k and knew they had to put in well over $1million in construction to make it livable and up to a high standard of quality for their family.

Once one purchases a property in St. Francis Wood, the owner become a member of the home owners association and agrees to follow the strict guidelines of the Covenants Conditions and Restrictions (the code was first drafted in 1917 when the first parcels of land were sold, and renegotiated in 1950) that govern any work done on the exterior of the home; including all details such as: landscaping, paint colors, additions, window treatments, fences, materials used, and any remodeling effort that can be seen by neighbors.

A lengthy approval process ensues. For the Heavey’s that meant three rounds of drawings and approvals from neighbors as well as the St. Francis Homes Association. The board and the architectural committee rejected the first two proposals; and the third was the charm. A local, independent architect, Tom Branch, worked on all of the plans. Meanwhile, the family lived in a rental property awaiting their new home.

The enforcement of the Covenants Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs) is crucial to maintain the architectural integrity for the home and the neighborhood, which boasts a curvilinear street plan that created a “residence park,” laid out by the famed Olmsted Brothers.

Once the approval was granted the construction process began and finished in nine months. It included: installing an elevator; putting in a in new foundation with reinforced concrete to make the home earthquake safe and adding a new drainage system to replace the dilapidated one from the original construction.

The process really forced Mike and Noreen to get involved at a higher level of commitment than most homeowners can imagine. The home still retains its original Spanish style, but the owners replaced the front door because it was completely ruined. It is now a comfortable yet vast home complete with every modern amenity.

At the end of the process, Petree Knighton, the St. Francis Homes Association president, who is a former city planner with an engineering and architectural background, wrote a letter to the owner drooling over the house’s remodel: “I just couldn’t wait to tell you how thrilled I am over the aesthetic of your new home. It is going to be beautiful and you should be very proud to have worked within our system to achieve such (a) magnificent home. … I am hopeful that you have found the extra effort well worth it in the end.”

The owners have now lived at the 5-bedroom, 6-bath property, which has two street frontages on both Santa Paula and Terrace, (another hindrance to a smooth project, but well worth it to be on the back of a gorgeous park) for over five years. But now that the kids are older, they are downsizing and the home is listed for $2,995,000.

Offered at $2,995,000
Size: 5-bed, 6-bath
Further Information: www.SantaPaulaAve.com [Katy Dinner]

Represented by Katy Dinner of Paragon. To arrange a showing contact the listing agent, your preferred Realtor, or fill out this form to get further information via San Francisco Luxury Living.

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