San Francisco Victorian that survived 1906 quake asks $4.6M

Presidio Heights’ 331 Arguello withstood the Great Earthquake of 1906 and, in a twist of good fortune for lovers of all things Victorian, the many quakes that followed thereafter. The hundred-plus-year-old home is now for sale, asking $4,595 million.

Curbside, this beautiful Victorian is iconic, historic San Francisco. Architectural details have been preserved, painted and polished.

Victorian embellishments have been lovingly highlighted.

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Note intricate wood carving and embellishment, ornate gables, stained glass and the pitched roof promising a romantic, secret attic-like upper level. This 4,223-square-foot home is picture perfect.

The romance of the upper level draws the eye up.

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Back in the early 1900s, a trolley ran down Euclid Street and ended in front of the house. That history is clearly present more than 100 years later. Though it has been well-preserved, this home features important and attractive improvements.

The living room enjoys plentiful natural light.

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The current owners explained to SFGate that one such improvement is the actual size of the home, though you’d be hard-pressed to see an seams in this expansion. “A woman stopped by who said she played there with a friend when young in the ’50s and the house was one-half to two-thirds the size,” one owner said.

The owner also said the home “survived both the ’06 and ’89 earthquakes on its original brick foundation, which has since been replaced.” Other updates include the home’s configuration. Now, the property is a duplex, and each unit could be sold separately.

Unit A sprawls across more than 3,100 square feet and offers two bedrooms, two baths, plus two primary suites (so an additional two bedrooms and baths, making the total offering four beds and four baths).

A formal dining area features original wainscotting and a working fireplace.

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Unit A’s kitchen is a chef’s dream.

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The home features a well-stocked chef’s kitchen and a charming and completely finished upper level, which looks out on the city through artful windows.

Going up the dramatic staircase, note classic architectural details.

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One of the spacious primary suites offers views and a private drawing room/lounge.

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This top level bedroom cries out for a poet.

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Preserved stained glass in the upper bedroom add artful neighborhood views.

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This unit also offers an extensive roof enclosed in plexiglass so that the space can be enjoyed in any weather.

Modern skylights placed cleverly in Unit A bring light and brightness into these still very much Victorian spaces.

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The roof deck blocks SF wind, offering weather-proof enjoyment.

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Unit B is a smaller abode with two bedrooms and two baths, as well as a beautiful kitchen. Outside, a classic Victorian garden beckons.

Unit B has its own entry way.

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An open floor plan blends living, dining and kitchen areas.

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The lower level kitchen is spacious and well-equipped.

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This is one of the two lower unit bedrooms.

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Lower unit residents will enjoy a gorgeous patio and protected alfresco dining access.

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There may be options with this property. Two buyers could buy Unit A and Unit B separately; a single buyer could buy the entire home and rent one of the units while living in the other; one buyer could buy the building and rent both units. But according to listing agent Michell Nuñez (who co-listed this property with Dan Fitzpatrick), the sellers most hope for an offer from a buyer who will treat the home as a gorgeous single-family dwelling.

The lot is 3,018 square feet and offers a backyard and garden.

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“The current owners have called Unit A home, but have thoroughly enjoyed the flexibility of using the spacious downstairs unit for both work and play,” she said. The owners’ families live in the South and East Coast, so having the downstairs unit was so wonderful for their family,” she said.

“Although both units may be sold separately or legally rented, they hope that one family can enjoy the benefits of owning the entire home.”

Anna Marie Erwert writes from both the renter and new buyer perspective, having (finally) achieved both statuses. She focuses on national real estate trends, specializing in the San Francisco Bay Area and Pacific Northwest. Follow Anna on Twitter: @AnnaMarieErwert.