September 7, 2007
Another “Architectural Gem” With Which We're Going To Agree


We have to admit, we’re naturally skeptical of any listing that features interior photography from but a single room. But in the case of 55 St. Elmo Way (designed by Charles Strothoff and built by the Nelson Brothers in 1926), we’re giving it the benefit of the doubt (and then some). And if the rest of the house is in even remotely the same condition as that one (not so little) room, we’re totally smitten.
UPDATE: Since hitting the site this morning, the list price has indeed been increased $240,000 (from $2,485,000). Regardless, (and despite the Count comments) we remain smitten.
UPDATE (9/11): We’re now giving ‘sf_housedude’ the benefit of the doubt (and feeling a bit less smitten).
∙ Listing: 55 St. Elmo Way (7/4.5) - $2,725,000 [MLS]
First Published: September 7, 2007 6:30 AM
Comments from "Plugged In" Readers
The house looks fabulous, absolutely, but it has one fundamental flaw, at least for me, as a happy northeast end SF resident....depressing wet, foggy and cold conditions on a consistent basis...
You couldn't pay me enough money to live in St. Francis Wood or even Presidio Heights for that matter because the residents of even the most spectacular homes in the city that are on the western half have to deal with that.
Oh, what it must have been like to live in a mansion on Rincon Hill back in the day, pre-quake and pre-Bay Bridge.
Posted by: RinconHill_Res at September 7, 2007 9:27 AM
What a gorgeous, classic house!
Posted by: plantguy at September 7, 2007 9:38 AM
Only p*****s complain about SF weather....
Notice that the price on MLS is now $2,725m. Interesting....
Posted by: AJ at September 7, 2007 9:54 AM
This place is great if you are Count Dracula? Who buys these creepy old timey places?
Posted by: johnson at September 7, 2007 9:58 AM
If it had a Nelly poster in the dining room I would think about buying at this price....
Posted by: bird_man at September 7, 2007 10:31 AM
Three words: Eight parking spaces.
Posted by: bgelldawg at September 7, 2007 10:40 AM
Wow, where are the photos of the count's vault?
Posted by: High Rise Harry at September 7, 2007 12:16 PM
Great place, great era! "Who buys these?" People with style!
Posted by: gh at September 7, 2007 1:09 PM
I find it funny that anyone in San Francsico would complain about fog and damp weather in any part of this city. Noe Valley and Soma is not Palm Desert. For those of us who like fog, having a real fireplace in the bedroom is a rather nice way of taking advantage of the cold weather.
Posted by: anonandon at September 7, 2007 2:42 PM
Ohhhh...a 12,000+ sq. ft lot. Excuse me while I wipe off the drool on my face. If I had the money, I'd check out this place this weekend. I think it looks kind of sweet!
Posted by: nowonderitcostssomuch at September 7, 2007 2:50 PM
Rincon Hill = new yuppy money.
St. Francis Wood = old San Francisco wealth.
Enough said.
Posted by: sanfranvalues at September 7, 2007 7:41 PM
sanfranvalues: I think RinconHillRes was referring to the pre-1906 days in Rincon Hill. Back then this was prime real estate for old money.
Posted by: SF Bubble at September 7, 2007 8:30 PM
SF Bubble: Um, no, he wasn't, unless he is 100 years old, I assume he is currently one of these holier than thou new money characters that has flooded the NEW Rincon and Soma areas.
Posted by: sanfranvalues at September 8, 2007 11:28 AM
sanfranvalues: Um, did you read the post?
"Oh, what it must have been like to live in a mansion on Rincon Hill back in the day, pre-quake and pre-Bay Bridge."
Not that I really care one way or the other what you think about Rincon vs. St. Francis Wood (my neighborhood incidentally). But slap-shot slams without actually reading a post carefully are a pet-peeve and diminish the quality of discussion....
Posted by: read first at September 8, 2007 11:59 AM
He STATED that he is a current Rincon Hill Res. i(by his user name), therefore, unless he is 100 years old and REMEMBERS living in the area back then, Rincon Hill is no longer the old neighborhood he claims, it's the new money. So you can't argue anything other than that SOMA incl. Rincon hill= new St. Francis = established. That's all I'm saying, jeez. Read my post before you try to diminish my credibility through some sort of faux intellectual superiority complex.
Posted by: sanfranvalues at September 8, 2007 12:44 PM
The vaulted ceilings in the main room in this home are absolutely amazing. I've never seen anything like that. The covered courtyard fountain area is superb. A fine home all around (yes, weather included. Those days when it's 80 degrees in the city and all of downtown reeks of your sh!t, literally, over here in the west side it's calm and cool as always)
Posted by: sanfranvalues at September 8, 2007 1:52 PM
Rincon Hill = new yuppy money.
St. Francis Wood = old San Francisco wealth.
Enough said.
No -
Rincon Hill = new yuppy money.
Nob Hill/Pacific Heights = old San Francisco wealth.
St. Francis Wood = can't afford Pacific Heights/Nob Hill so they have to settle for this place.
Posted by: sanfranstyle at September 10, 2007 12:00 PM
"St. Francis Wood = can't afford Pacific Heights/Nob Hill so they have to settle for this place."
Tell that to the Hearsts.
Posted by: anonoldtimer at September 10, 2007 3:21 PM
Just toured the home and it is not in good condition. There are foundation issues and I heard the the Chinese Consolate neighbor is planning to build housing on the property behind this home.
[Editor’s Note: We’re now giving you the benefit of the doubt (and feeling a bit less smitten).]
Posted by: sf_housedude at September 11, 2007 4:15 PM
allegedly, the neighborhood fought to prevent the consolate from developing the property but they were unsuccessful.
It would take a million$ to get that place in shape. I see a contractor buying it or a large family with more cash than brains. It is adorable from the outside, I'll give it that.
Posted by: sf_housedude at September 11, 2007 5:23 PM
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