Gallery of 12 photos
Editor’s Note: There are few things San Franciscans love to talk about more than real estate. In that spirit, The Standard presents 'Buying San Francisco', a profile of two homes going head-to-head in what is quickly becoming a buyer’s market.
Though it isn’t one of the city’s most recognized neighborhoods, Duboce Triangle is a favorite with locals. Nestled between the attractions of the Castro and the Haight, with great parks, lots of nightlife, and easy public transport, young singles, queer couples, families, dog owners and empty nesters call ‘Duboce’ home.
In this week's 'Buying San Francisco', we’re highlighting a pair of two-bedroom condos just blocks away from each other in the Duboce Triangle neighborhood. Click through the gallery at the top of the page for photos of each property.
Which would you buy: The Updated Edwardian or the Modern on Market Street?
839 14th St. | $1,200,000
2 bedrooms/2 bathrooms | 1,326 square feet
JUST THE FACTS: A long-ago butcher shop, this thoroughly remodeled, bottom-floor flat was built in 1901, so it’s modern but still has personality. Some features we love: the walk-in closet, custom glasswork, bifold patio doors, gas fireplace, high-end fixtures and the low-maintenance shared yard perfect for indoor-outdoor entertaining.
WHO’S IT FOR: The place would be perfect for a queer couple that wants to be close to the action of the Castro. If they own dogs, all the better. The yard is perfect for pups as the condo is just blocks from Duboce Park, an off-leash dog paradise.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD: Smack in the middle of San Francisco, the nabe is within easy walking distance of the Lower Haight, Mission and Castro. There’s a Wednesday farmers’ market eight months of the year and plenty of restaurant and bar options to choose from.
POSITIVES: Word on the street is the owners, who recently moved to Australia, are highly motivated to sell, having reduced the price significantly. The HOA, at $300, is hard to beat in the City.
NEGATIVES: The 1930s-style custom glasswork in the front of the building features the muscley back of a half-naked man hard at work in a factory. (The owners are a gay couple who design glass art.) Is this a positive or a negative? Only you can decide.
2200 Market St. #301 | $1,449,000
2 bedrooms/2 bathrooms | 1,181 square feet
JUST THE FACTS: Built in 2014, this five-story building is located at the intersection of 15th, Sanchez and Market Streets. As an end unit, the condo features two patios, the larger of which is connected to the primary bedroom, and south-facing floor-to-ceiling windows. You can also access the outside via the shared roof deck. As with most new condo construction, there’s an in-unit washer and dryer and thoroughly up-to-date kitchen appliances.
WHO’S IT FOR: We see this as a starter home for a young tech couple who needs all the modern conveniences plus a second bedroom for a home office.
NEIGHBORHOOD: Like the 14th St. property just blocks away, the Market St. condo is in a highly walkable and action-packed nabe. Plus the K, T, M, J and N Muni lines converge here, and the 101 is easy to access via Duboce Street, anytime you need to put in facetime at the office.
POSITIVES: City views through those gorg windows here stretch all the way to Oakland. One car parking is onsite and various tech shuttles will pick you up steps from the front door.
NEGATIVES: The $748 HOA fee pushes the monthly bill up considerably, and like all new condos in SF, it feels a bit impersonal. Plus, the building faces Market Street, which is busy—and also a bit sketchy at times.
Click through the gallery at the top of the page for more photos of each property.