Two historic homes in San Francisco’s posh Sea Cliff neighborhood could be demolished and replaced with bigger modern luxury homes. But residents are worried the neighborhood's character could be changed if plans are approved.
Both luxury homes look nearly identical in the plans, fronted by light gray facades with top-to-bottom ocean-facing windows in the back.
But not everyone is enthused about the chic, cubic digs.
“Oh my God,” said Howard Caro, who lives a few homes down, upon seeing the renderings. “Around here, you have eclectic styles—mid-century, classic—but this just doesn’t fit.”
Most residents were ambivalent about the planned homes, although no one was enthusiastic about their modern look.
“It’s a bit brutalistic, very boxy, but I guess it’s not that bad,” said Amanda Noonan, who lives in a condo down the street. “It’d be lovely if they just restored [the houses].”
Plans show the homes are more than 11,000 square feet each, rising roughly 31 feet—three stories over a basement—and would have five bedrooms, a rooftop deck and car lift to a basement parking garage. The existing homes at 170 and 178 Sea Cliff Ave. were built in 1914 and are 6,013 square feet and 4,652 square feet, respectively, according to property records.
They sold for $11 million each, with 170 Sea Cliff Ave. selling in 2019 and 178 Sea Cliff Ave. selling in 2015, property records say. The owner for both homes is listed as Dan Friis.
Friis’ attorney, Thomas Tunny, said construction is at least one year away, as the San Francisco Planning Department must approve of the demolition and construction of the new home planned for 170 Sea Cliff Ave.
Tunny said Friis is not affiliated with a developer or real estate company, but did not provide further information about Friis’ identity, other than saying Friis is a “private citizen.”
Planning department chief-of-staff Dan Sider said approval for demolishing the home could only come after a public hearing before the Planning Commission, which is scheduled for Oct. 5.
Construction is estimated to cost $2.4 million for 170 Sea Cliff Ave. and $2.58 million for 178 Sea Cliff Ave., according to the planning department.
The Sea Cliff neighborhood has been the site of expensive homes for years, and has hosted its share of famous residents, including actress Sharon Stone and legendary photographer Ansel Adams.
Landscape architect Mark Daniels developed Sea Cliff as one of eight master-planned residence parks or “garden suburbs” that were popular after the 1906 earthquake that heavily damaged San Francisco and sought to evoke a sense of country living with large lots and lush landscaping, including ornate entry gates, public sculptures and fountains.