Michael Barba

A prominent San Francisco developer was charged Thursday for allegedly paying bribes to three former employees of the Department of Building Inspection to expedite building permits and conduct building inspections.

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A prominent San Francisco developer was charged Thursday for allegedly paying bribes to three former employees of the Department of Building Inspection to expedite building permits and conduct building inspections.

Sia Tahbazof, the founder of the design and engineering firm Sia Consulting and the development company SST Investments, allegedly paid cash bribes to a former senior inspector, Bernie Curran, and ex-plan checkers Rudy Pada and Cyril Yu.

Sia Tahbazof, the founder of the design and engineering firm Sia Consulting and the development company SST Investments, allegedly paid cash bribes to a former senior inspector, Bernie Curran, and ex-plan checkers Rudy Pada and Cyril Yu.

The bribes included an $85,000 interest-free loan to Pada and free meals and drinks for Yu, the U.S. Attorney&#8217;s Office said in charging documents. Tahbazof also allegedly forgave $30,000 of a $260,000 loan he provided Curran and paid him $30,000 for conducting inspections, at a rate of $1,500 per inspection.

The bribes included an $85,000 interest-free loan to Pada and free meals and drinks for Yu, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in charging documents. Tahbazof also allegedly forgave $30,000 of a $260,000 loan he provided Curran and paid him $30,000 for conducting inspections, at a rate of $1,500 per inspection.

The bribes included an $85,000 interest-free loan to Pada and free meals and drinks for Yu, the U.S. Attorney&#8217;s Office said in charging documents. Tahbazof also allegedly forgave $30,000 of a $260,000 loan he provided Curran and paid him $30,000 for conducting inspections, at a rate of $1,500 per inspection.

READ MORE: <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/14/san-francisco-corruption-scandal-who-is-the-immensely-wealthy-developer/">Who Is the ‘Immensely Wealthy’ Developer Tied to San Francisco’s Corruption Scandal?</a>

Who is the &#8216;immensely wealthy&#8217; developer tied to San Francisco&#8217;s corruption scandal?

READ MORE: <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/14/san-francisco-corruption-scandal-who-is-the-immensely-wealthy-developer/">Who Is the ‘Immensely Wealthy’ Developer Tied to San Francisco’s Corruption Scandal?</a>

Prosecutors also charged the co-owner of Sia Consulting, Reza Khoshnevisan, 54, and Tahbazof&#8217;s nephew, engineer Bahman Ghassemzadeh, 38, with fraud in the alleged bribery scheme. The U.S. Attorney&#8217;s Office alleged that they both conspired to bribe Pada and Yu, while Ghassemzadeh is also accused of bribing Curran.

Prosecutors also charged the co-owner of Sia Consulting, Reza Khoshnevisan, 54, and Tahbazof's nephew, engineer Bahman Ghassemzadeh, 38, with fraud in the alleged bribery scheme. The U.S. Attorney's Office alleged that they both conspired to bribe Pada and Yu, while Ghassemzadeh is also accused of bribing Curran.

Prosecutors also charged the co-owner of Sia Consulting, Reza Khoshnevisan, 54, and Tahbazof&#8217;s nephew, engineer Bahman Ghassemzadeh, 38, with fraud in the alleged bribery scheme. The U.S. Attorney&#8217;s Office alleged that they both conspired to bribe Pada and Yu, while Ghassemzadeh is also accused of bribing Curran.

Attempts to reach Tahbazof, Khoshnevisan and Ghassemzadeh for comment were not immediately successful.

Attempts to reach Tahbazof, Khoshnevisan and Ghassemzadeh for comment were not immediately successful.

Tahbazof, 72, is among the most prominent business people charged in a wide-ranging corruption scandal that began in early 2020 with the arrest of former Public Works head Mohammed Nuru. The scandal has touched the highest levels of leadership within the building inspection department, spurring the resignation of its director, Tom Hui, and criminal charges against Curran, Pada and Yu.

Tahbazof, 72, is among the most prominent business people charged in a wide-ranging corruption scandal that began in early 2020 with the arrest of former Public Works head Mohammed Nuru. The scandal has touched the highest levels of leadership within the building inspection department, spurring the resignation of its director, Tom Hui, and criminal charges against Curran, Pada and Yu.

Curran is currently serving a federal prison sentence in Lompoc after pleading guilty to charges related to <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/09/12/san-francisco-corruption-bernie-curran-building-inspector-pleads-guilty/">taking payments from people whose properties he inspected</a> in both state and federal court, while both Pada and Yu have pleaded not guilty. <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/09/ex-dbi-engineers-rudy-pada-cyril-yu-plead-not-guilty/">Pada has a court date to change his plea</a> in early December.

San Francisco corruption: disgraced ex-building inspector pleads guilty in state case

2 ex-building inspection staffers plead not guilty to taking bribes; 1 may change plea

Curran is currently serving a federal prison sentence in Lompoc after pleading guilty to charges related to <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/09/12/san-francisco-corruption-bernie-curran-building-inspector-pleads-guilty/">taking payments from people whose properties he inspected</a> in both state and federal court, while both Pada and Yu have pleaded not guilty. <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/09/ex-dbi-engineers-rudy-pada-cyril-yu-plead-not-guilty/">Pada has a court date to change his plea</a> in early December.

Patrick Hannan, a spokesperson for the building inspection department, said the agency &#8220;commends the U.S. Attorney’s efforts to bring to justice those seeking to corrupt the government processes meant to keep the public safe.&#8221;

Patrick Hannan, a spokesperson for the building inspection department, said the agency "commends the U.S. Attorney’s efforts to bring to justice those seeking to corrupt the government processes meant to keep the public safe."

Patrick Hannan, a spokesperson for the building inspection department, said the agency &#8220;commends the U.S. Attorney’s efforts to bring to justice those seeking to corrupt the government processes meant to keep the public safe.&#8221;

Tahbazof is the patriarch of a powerful real estate family that owns, develops and manages properties across San Francisco. He is also politically connected, having hosted a fundraiser for Mayor London Breed in 2018 and described Supervisor Ahsha Safaí—who is challenging Breed for mayor next year—as a family friend.

Tahbazof is the patriarch of a powerful real estate family that owns, develops and manages properties across San Francisco. He is also politically connected, having hosted a fundraiser for Mayor London Breed in 2018 and described Supervisor Ahsha Safaí—who is challenging Breed for mayor next year—as a family friend.

Sia Tahbazof, right, and Samaneh Tahbazof. | Arthur Kobin for Drew Altizer Photography

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/zdz.jpg?w=1500" alt="A man dressed in a blue suit and tie stands next to a woman wearing a silver and pink dress as they look at the camera for a posed portrait." class="wp-image-219528"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sia Tahbazof, right, and his wife, Samaneh Tahbazof, pose for a picture at an event.</figcaption></figure>

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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/zdz.jpg?w=1500" alt="A man dressed in a blue suit and tie stands next to a woman wearing a silver and pink dress as they look at the camera for a posed portrait." class="wp-image-219528"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sia Tahbazof, right, and his wife, Samaneh Tahbazof, pose for a picture at an event.</figcaption></figure>

In 2015, he and his wife, Sami Tahbazof, co-founded a charity, the Tahbazof Family Foundation, that donated more than $400,000 to various causes in 2022, tax filings show. His children, attorneys Yosef Tahbazof and Sufi Tahbazof Hariri, run the Tahbazof Law Firm and the property management company Atlas Property Group.&nbsp;

In 2015, he and his wife, Sami Tahbazof, co-founded a charity, the Tahbazof Family Foundation, that donated more than $400,000 to various causes in 2022, tax filings show. His children, attorneys Yosef Tahbazof and Sufi Tahbazof Hariri, run the Tahbazof Law Firm and the property management company Atlas Property Group.&nbsp;

While this is the first time that federal prosecutors have named Tahbazof in the scandal, The Standard has previously connected him to the cases against <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/14/san-francisco-corruption-scandal-who-is-the-immensely-wealthy-developer/">Curran</a>, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/09/ex-dbi-engineers-rudy-pada-cyril-yu-plead-not-guilty/">Pada</a> and <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/09/ex-dbi-engineers-rudy-pada-cyril-yu-plead-not-guilty/">Yu</a>.

While this is the first time that federal prosecutors have named Tahbazof in the scandal, The Standard has previously connected him to the cases against <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/14/san-francisco-corruption-scandal-who-is-the-immensely-wealthy-developer/">Curran</a>, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/09/ex-dbi-engineers-rudy-pada-cyril-yu-plead-not-guilty/">Pada</a> and <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/09/ex-dbi-engineers-rudy-pada-cyril-yu-plead-not-guilty/">Yu</a>.

‘Tortured Chain’ of Payments

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tortured-chain-of-payments">‘Tortured Chain’ of Payments</h2>

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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tortured-chain-of-payments">‘Tortured Chain’ of Payments</h2>

In the case against Curran, federal prosecutors said an unnamed developer whose projects Curran regularly inspected gave him a $260,000 loan that they concealed by routing the cash through various relatives. The developer, who prosecutors referred to only as “Developer-1,” never required Curran to repay $30,000 of his debt.

In the case against Curran, federal prosecutors said an unnamed developer whose projects Curran regularly inspected gave him a $260,000 loan that they concealed by routing the cash through various relatives. The developer, who prosecutors referred to only as “Developer-1,” never required Curran to repay $30,000 of his debt.

Shortly after his debt was forgiven, prosecutors said Curran issued a key approval for a property that the developer owned on the 700 block of Harrison Street, despite another inspector having identified building code violations that were not fixed.

Shortly after his debt was forgiven, prosecutors said Curran issued a key approval for a property that the developer owned on the 700 block of Harrison Street, despite another inspector having identified building code violations that were not fixed.

In August, The Standard <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/14/san-francisco-corruption-scandal-who-is-the-immensely-wealthy-developer/">detailed the various indications</a> that this developer was Tahbazof, signaling that he could face charges in the future.

In August, The Standard <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/14/san-francisco-corruption-scandal-who-is-the-immensely-wealthy-developer/">detailed the various indications</a> that this developer was Tahbazof, signaling that he could face charges in the future.

Defense attorneys described this developer as being “immensely wealthy,” with a “minimum net worth of over $100 million” as of 2017.

Defense attorneys described this developer as being “immensely wealthy,” with a “minimum net worth of over $100 million” as of 2017.

Among the evidence pointing to Tahbazof was that SST Investments, the company Tahbazof founded, owned a building at 750 Harrison St. that received a key approval from Curran on the same day described by prosecutors.

Among the evidence pointing to Tahbazof was that SST Investments, the company Tahbazof founded, owned a building at 750 Harrison St. that received a key approval from Curran on the same day described by prosecutors.

It was the only approval of its kind that Curran issued that day, according to the Department of Building Inspection.

It was the only approval of its kind that Curran issued that day, according to the Department of Building Inspection.

Another indication was that Curran’s daughter wrote a letter to the court saying she had worked for the Tahbazof family for nearly seven years and that her father had been friends with Tahbazof for more than two decades.

Another indication was that Curran’s daughter wrote a letter to the court saying she had worked for the Tahbazof family for nearly seven years and that her father had been friends with Tahbazof for more than two decades.

Defense attorneys for Curran said that Developer-1 had hired Curran’s daughter to work in his office and that Curran had befriended the developer in the early 1990s.

Defense attorneys for Curran said that Developer-1 had hired Curran’s daughter to work in his office and that Curran had befriended the developer in the early 1990s.

Finally, court records obtained by The Standard from a separate criminal case against Curran, filed by the District Attorney’s Office, showed he received $260,000 in early 2017 through a series of bank transactions involving relatives that matched the “tortured chain” of payments described by defense attorneys in the federal case against him.

Finally, court records obtained by The Standard from a separate criminal case against Curran, filed by the District Attorney’s Office, showed he received $260,000 in early 2017 through a series of bank transactions involving relatives that matched the “tortured chain” of payments described by defense attorneys in the federal case against him.

The state court records revealed that the transactions began with a $300,000 payment from SST Investments to Tahbazof’s brother-in-law, Freydoon Ghassemzadeh. An account belonging to Ghassemzadeh and his wife then passed $260,000 to Curran’s mother, before Curran ultimately received the money in a check from his mother.

The state court records revealed that the transactions began with a $300,000 payment from SST Investments to Tahbazof’s brother-in-law, Freydoon Ghassemzadeh. An account belonging to Ghassemzadeh and his wife then passed $260,000 to Curran’s mother, before Curran ultimately received the money in a check from his mother.

As part of this same scheme to hide the source of the money, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said Curran also signed a “false” loan agreement with a relative of Developer-1 establishing the terms of a “fictional loan.” Prosecutors described how Curran later disclosed that loan in a city ethics filing from May 21, 2021. City ethics filings show the loan Curran disclosed that day was from Ghassemzadeh.

As part of this same scheme to hide the source of the money, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said Curran also signed a “false” loan agreement with a relative of Developer-1 establishing the terms of a “fictional loan.” Prosecutors described how Curran later disclosed that loan in a city ethics filing from May 21, 2021. City ethics filings show the loan Curran disclosed that day was from Ghassemzadeh.

After The Standard reported that Tahbazof’s son helped prepare the terms of the “fictional” loan from Ghassemzadeh to Curran, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/14/san-francisco-official-named-in-corruption-case-faces-possible-ouster/">Yosef Tahbazof resigned from his longtime city position on the Assessment Appeals Board</a>.

San Francisco official named in corruption case steps down

After The Standard reported that Tahbazof’s son helped prepare the terms of the “fictional” loan from Ghassemzadeh to Curran, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/14/san-francisco-official-named-in-corruption-case-faces-possible-ouster/">Yosef Tahbazof resigned from his longtime city position on the Assessment Appeals Board</a>.

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-links-to-pada-and-yu">Links to Pada and Yu</h2>

In the cases against Pada and Yu, the U.S. Attorney’s Office described three unnamed executives at a construction planning and design firm who allegedly bribed each of them with cash, meals and drinks in exchange for approving their building plans.

In the cases against Pada and Yu, the U.S. Attorney’s Office described three unnamed executives at a construction planning and design firm who allegedly bribed each of them with cash, meals and drinks in exchange for approving their building plans.

Prosecutors said Pada received these bribes between August 2003 and September 2017, while they said Yu took them between January 2018 and February 2021.

Prosecutors said Pada received these bribes between August 2003 and September 2017, while they said Yu took them between January 2018 and February 2021.

Referring to the executives only as co-conspirator 1, 2 and 3 in court filings, prosecutors said Co-conspirator #1 ran a San Francisco-based construction and building planning and design firm as well as a construction company that developed residential and commercial buildings around the Bay Area.

Referring to the executives only as co-conspirator 1, 2 and 3 in court filings, prosecutors said Co-conspirator #1 ran a San Francisco-based construction and building planning and design firm as well as a construction company that developed residential and commercial buildings around the Bay Area.

In the Pada case, prosecutors said Pada received an $85,000 loan from a relative of Co-conspirator #1 in December 2013. Co-conspirator #1 allegedly arranged the loan for Pada through a relative, referred to as “Individual #1” in a scheme to conceal it.

In the Pada case, prosecutors said Pada received an $85,000 loan from a relative of Co-conspirator #1 in December 2013. Co-conspirator #1 allegedly arranged the loan for Pada through a relative, referred to as “Individual #1” in a scheme to conceal it.

While Pada paid his debt in full, prosecutors said he was not charged interest despite certifying in a loan agreement that he would pay 6% interest.

While Pada paid his debt in full, prosecutors said he was not charged interest despite certifying in a loan agreement that he would pay 6% interest.

Property filings reviewed by The Standard show that Pada received an $85,000 loan from Ghassemzadeh—Tahbazof’s brother-in-law—around the same time.

Property filings reviewed by The Standard show that Pada received an $85,000 loan from Ghassemzadeh—Tahbazof’s brother-in-law—around the same time.

Pada signed a deed of trust, which was filed in December 2013, giving Ghassemzadeh the right to sell a property Pada owned in the Sunset to recover his debt.

Pada signed a deed of trust, which was filed in December 2013, giving Ghassemzadeh the right to sell a property Pada owned in the Sunset to recover his debt.

Prominent San Francisco developer paid bribes to building inspection employees, Feds say

Garrett Leahy

It’s as prime as prime San Francisco real estate can be: a bustling North Beach corner with views of Sts. Peter and Paul Church and Washington Square Park close to amazing restaurants, historic bars, cafes and a plethora of bakeries.

It’s as prime as prime San Francisco real estate can be: a bustling North Beach corner with views of Sts. Peter and Paul Church and Washington Square Park close to amazing restaurants, historic bars, cafes and a plethora of bakeries.

But it’s a grimy shell of its former self. The building at 659 Union St. is barely even a building at all. What&#8217;s left of it after two ravaging fires is essentially a brick exterior propped up by metal rods. So why is the space still empty?

But it’s a grimy shell of its former self. The building at 659 Union St. is barely even a building at all. What's left of it after two ravaging fires is essentially a brick exterior propped up by metal rods. So why is the space still empty?

But it’s a grimy shell of its former self. The building at 659 Union St. is barely even a building at all. What&#8217;s left of it after two ravaging fires is essentially a brick exterior propped up by metal rods. So why is the space still empty?

There are plans to develop a posh new rooftop bar and restaurant, 22 apartments and space for businesses on the ground floor at the site. The plans have been stalled since November. The developer, Jeff Jurow, blamed infamous City Hall red tape—“bureaucracy.”

There are plans to develop a posh new rooftop bar and restaurant, 22 apartments and space for businesses on the ground floor at the site. The plans have been stalled since November. The developer, Jeff Jurow, blamed infamous City Hall red tape—“bureaucracy.”

Two fires gutted the 1914 building in 2013 and 2018. The first displaced 31 rent-control-protected tenants, 17 of whom want their units in the building back.&nbsp;The second displaced a liquor store.

Two fires gutted the 1914 building in 2013 and 2018. The first displaced 31 rent-control-protected tenants, 17 of whom want their units in the building back.&nbsp;The second displaced a liquor store.

But locals say that’s no excuse for leaving it in such a state over a decade after the first blaze.&nbsp;

But locals say that’s no excuse for leaving it in such a state over a decade after the first blaze.&nbsp;

“It’s an eyesore,” said Kelli Smith, 55, who said she was born and raised in North Beach.&nbsp;

“It’s an eyesore,” said Kelli Smith, 55, who said she was born and raised in North Beach.&nbsp;

Kelli Smith, 55, said she would like to see housing at the ruined building, as well as a restaurant or grocery store.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_0705.jpg?w=2500" alt="A woman stands on a street." class="wp-image-264337"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Kelli Smith, 55, said she would like to see housing at the ruined building site, as well as a restaurant or grocery store.</figcaption></figure>

Smith would like to see a grocery store or restaurant on the ground floor and housing above. She also said she thinks that a vacant lot on the side of the building could be used for parking.

Smith would like to see a grocery store or restaurant on the ground floor and housing above. She also said she thinks that a vacant lot on the side of the building could be used for parking.

Tech worker Dan McGann, who lives on Stockton Street in North Beach, wants a mini-golf spot to arise from the ashes at the corner of Union Street and Columbus Avenue.

Tech worker Dan McGann, who lives on Stockton Street in North Beach, wants a mini-golf spot to arise from the ashes at the corner of Union Street and Columbus Avenue.

“That’d be sweet,” McGann said.

Nearby workers at businesses are also annoyed that the building sits empty.&nbsp;

Nearby workers at businesses are also annoyed that the building sits empty.&nbsp;

“I think it’s an eyesore,” said Maria Paula Bautista, manager of the Il Pollaio Italian restaurant on Columbus Avenue. “It’s ridiculous it’s taking so long, and it makes our neighborhood ugly.&nbsp;

“I think it’s an eyesore,” said Maria Paula Bautista, manager of the Il Pollaio Italian restaurant on Columbus Avenue. “It’s ridiculous it’s taking so long, and it makes our neighborhood ugly.&nbsp;

“You can’t let it just sit there,” Bautista said, adding that she thinks the site should become affordable and market-rate housing.

“You can’t let it just sit there,” Bautista said, adding that she thinks the site should become affordable and market-rate housing.

Il Pollaio manager Maria Paula Bautista said the building at 659 Union St. is an eyesore and wants it to become housing.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_0758.jpg?w=2500" alt="A woman stands inside a restaurant." class="wp-image-264341"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Il Pollaio manager Maria Paula Bautista said the building at 659 Union St. is an eyesore and wants it to become housing.</figcaption></figure>

Fernando Cedillos, who has managed the Italian restaurant Acquolina on Stockton and Union streets for seven years, would like to see a restaurant or a hotel there and said it would bring more people to the area, but it might not translate to more sales at his restaurant.

Fernando Cedillos, who has managed the Italian restaurant Acquolina on Stockton and Union streets for seven years, would like to see a restaurant or a hotel there and said it would bring more people to the area, but it might not translate to more sales at his restaurant.

“I think it would be the same; nothing would change,” Cedillos said.

“I think it would be the same; nothing would change,” Cedillos said.

One longtime tenant displaced after the 2013 fire is 73-year-old Peter Epstein. He’s lived in the basement of his friend’s Novato home ever since. Before the fire, his rent was $600 a month for a second-floor studio. In 1988, when he moved in, his monthly rent was just $300.

One longtime tenant displaced after the 2013 fire is 73-year-old Peter Epstein. He’s lived in the basement of his friend’s Novato home ever since. Before the fire, his rent was $600 a month for a second-floor studio. In 1988, when he moved in, his monthly rent was just $300.

Epstein said his quality of life has drastically dropped since leaving North Beach. He remembers eating out at different restaurants every night, sailing his South Beach-moored 31-foot boat, Assignment, on the bay at least twice a week and reading the newspaper with a coffee on Columbus Avenue every morning. Now, he barely gets to the city once a month.&nbsp;

Epstein said his quality of life has drastically dropped since leaving North Beach. He remembers eating out at different restaurants every night, sailing his South Beach-moored 31-foot boat, Assignment, on the bay at least twice a week and reading the newspaper with a coffee on Columbus Avenue every morning. Now, he barely gets to the city once a month.&nbsp;

“I’d move back in a heartbeat,” Epstein said. “After the fire happened, I had no way I could afford to move back in. I love North Beach.”

“I’d move back in a heartbeat,” Epstein said. “After the fire happened, I had no way I could afford to move back in. I love North Beach.”

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-20-million-redevelopment-price-tag">$20 million redevelopment price tag</h2>

Jurow, the developer, said city rules and regulations around housing make it impossible for him to build out the historic Verdi Building into anything, as it&#8217;s just too expensive.

Jurow, the developer, said city rules and regulations around housing make it impossible for him to build out the historic Verdi Building into anything, as it's just too expensive.

Jurow, the developer, said city rules and regulations around housing make it impossible for him to build out the historic Verdi Building into anything, as it&#8217;s just too expensive.

“The housing development environment in San Francisco is extremely challenging,” Jurow said. “It’s a tremendous amount of bureaucracy and red tape.”&nbsp;

“The housing development environment in San Francisco is extremely challenging,” Jurow said. “It’s a tremendous amount of bureaucracy and red tape.”&nbsp;

Jurow said city requirements mean he can’t erect a building any taller than the current structure is, which limits his plans to 22 homes.&nbsp;

Jurow said city requirements mean he can’t erect a building any taller than the current structure is, which limits his plans to 22 homes.&nbsp;

He also said preserving the building’s historic brick facade amounts to making “a building within a building” and would cost $4 million and add between nine and 12 months to the construction timeline, bringing total construction costs to $20 million. All told, the project would take three years to build, he said.&nbsp;

He also said preserving the building’s historic brick facade amounts to making “a building within a building” and would cost $4 million and add between nine and 12 months to the construction timeline, bringing total construction costs to $20 million. All told, the project would take three years to build, he said.&nbsp;

Metal poles prop up a brick wall of the building at 659 Union St. The brick exterior is all that's left of it after two fires in 2013 and 2018 gutted it.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_0736.jpg?w=2500" alt="Metal poles prop up a brick wall." class="wp-image-264339"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Metal poles prop up a brick wall of the building at 659 Union St. The brick exterior is all that&#8217;s left of it after two fires in 2013 and 2018 gutted it.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_0736.jpg?w=2500" alt="Metal poles prop up a brick wall." class="wp-image-264339"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Metal poles prop up a brick wall of the building at 659 Union St. The brick exterior is all that's left of it after two fires in 2013 and 2018 gutted it.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_0736.jpg?w=2500" alt="Metal poles prop up a brick wall." class="wp-image-264339"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Metal poles prop up a brick wall of the building at 659 Union St. The brick exterior is all that&#8217;s left of it after two fires in 2013 and 2018 gutted it.</figcaption></figure>

Jurow also said he would have to allow 17 tenants displaced in the 2013 fire to move back in at the rents they were paying then, which all together make it impossible to make any money with the building. Jurow claims the 2013 rents are “less than half” of what the apartments would be listed for in 2024 if the building hadn’t burned down.

Jurow also said he would have to allow 17 tenants displaced in the 2013 fire to move back in at the rents they were paying then, which all together make it impossible to make any money with the building. Jurow claims the 2013 rents are “less than half” of what the apartments would be listed for in 2024 if the building hadn’t burned down.

A one-bedroom North Beach apartment rents for $2,837 on average, slightly lower than the citywide average of $2,922 for a one-bedroom, according to Zumper data.

A one-bedroom North Beach apartment rents for $2,837 on average, slightly lower than the citywide average of $2,922 for a one-bedroom, according to Zumper data.

“We desperately want to develop the property,” Jurow said. “But we’d have to spend more to build it than what the building is worth.”

“We desperately want to develop the property,” Jurow said. “But we’d have to spend more to build it than what the building is worth.”

San Francisco Planning Chief of Staff Dan Sider said the developer needs to work with the city to get redevelopment plans fully approved. Demolishing the old brick walls is possible, Sider said, but it’s a lengthy process requiring Jurow to meet with the city, something he hasn’t done since November.

San Francisco Planning Chief of Staff Dan Sider said the developer needs to work with the city to get redevelopment plans fully approved. Demolishing the old brick walls is possible, Sider said, but it’s a lengthy process requiring Jurow to meet with the city, something he hasn’t done since November.

“He seems to want to have his cake and eat it, too,” Sider said.&nbsp;

“He seems to want to have his cake and eat it, too,” Sider said.&nbsp;

The demolition would require an environmental report and a public hearing at the Historic Preservation Commission, which takes at least 18 months and does not guarantee success, Sider said.

The demolition would require an environmental report and a public hearing at the Historic Preservation Commission, which takes at least 18 months and does not guarantee success, Sider said.

Sider said the rooftop bar and restaurant would be more difficult to achieve, as the Board of Supervisors would have to pass legislation to allow it.&nbsp;

Sider said the rooftop bar and restaurant would be more difficult to achieve, as the Board of Supervisors would have to pass legislation to allow it.&nbsp;

But to build taller, Sider said Jurow would need to add more housing to the plan so it could qualify for the state’s density bonus law, which allows eligible projects to build higher than their current zoning permits. &nbsp;

But to build taller, Sider said Jurow would need to add more housing to the plan so it could qualify for the state’s density bonus law, which allows eligible projects to build higher than their current zoning permits. &nbsp;

“We’d want to see a more housing-forward proposal,” Sider said. “Half of the square footage in these plans is commercial.”

“We’d want to see a more housing-forward proposal,” Sider said. “Half of the square footage in these plans is commercial.”

Plans for 659 Union St. would add ground floor businesses, two stories of apartments and a rooftop bar and restaurant inside the historic Verdi building in North Beach.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/screenshot-2024-04-02-at-1-04-39-pm.png?w=1754" alt="An architectural rendering of a building is seen." class="wp-image-264344"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Plans for 659 Union St. would add ground-floor businesses, two stories of apartments and a rooftop bar and restaurant inside the historic Verdi Building in North Beach.</figcaption></figure>

Jurow said he didn’t know he could tear down the old brick wall until The Standard passed on Sider’s comments. The developer said he would like any new exterior to fit the current style of the neighborhood.&nbsp;

Jurow said he didn’t know he could tear down the old brick wall until The Standard passed on Sider’s comments. The developer said he would like any new exterior to fit the current style of the neighborhood.&nbsp;

“I don’t want some Los Angeles-style glass cube on that corner,” Jurow said.

“I don’t want some Los Angeles-style glass cube on that corner,” Jurow said.

The office of Supervisor Aaron Peskin, whose district includes North Beach, said it is working to make Jurow&#8217;s plans a reality.

The office of Supervisor Aaron Peskin, whose district includes North Beach, said it is working to make Jurow's plans a reality.

The office of Supervisor Aaron Peskin, whose district includes North Beach, said it is working to make Jurow&#8217;s plans a reality.

“We’ve been working closely with the City Attorney, Planning Department and Project Sponsor on a Special Use District for this site, which would provide numerous exceptions for the developer to build the project that they’ve proposed,” a representative for Peskin said. “It is our understanding that the Planning Department has been waiting on critical information from the project sponsor that the Department and City Attorney requested some time ago, in order to facilitate the crafting of the [district]. We stand ready to move this forward whenever the project sponsor gets back to the city.”

“We’ve been working closely with the City Attorney, Planning Department and Project Sponsor on a Special Use District for this site, which would provide numerous exceptions for the developer to build the project that they’ve proposed,” a representative for Peskin said. “It is our understanding that the Planning Department has been waiting on critical information from the project sponsor that the Department and City Attorney requested some time ago, in order to facilitate the crafting of the [district]. We stand ready to move this forward whenever the project sponsor gets back to the city.”

A man walks past a mural on the side of 659 Union St., which has been empty after being gutted by two fires in 2013 and 2018.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_0764.jpg?w=2500" alt="A man walks past a mural." class="wp-image-264342"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A man walks past a mural on the side of 659 Union St., which has been empty for years.</figcaption></figure>

Peskin, who is also the board president, has recently worked to make it more difficult to build housing in his district. On March 5, the Board of Supervisors passed legislation sponsored by Peskin to impose density limits in several historic neighborhoods on the Northern Waterfront.

Peskin, who is also the board president, has recently worked to make it more difficult to build housing in his district. On March 5, the Board of Supervisors passed legislation sponsored by Peskin to impose density limits in several historic neighborhoods on the Northern Waterfront.

Peskin also fell under scrutiny after he reportedly berated firefighters battling the blaze at the ruined building on March 17, 2018, and demanded the resignation of then-Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White over the handling of the fire. Firefighters had claimed Peskin <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/SF-firefighters-say-Supervisor-Peskin-12803523.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">appeared intoxicated</a> during the reported diatribe, although then-Central Station police captain Paul Yep said he saw <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/matier-ross/article/Supervisor-Peskin-wasn-t-drunk-at-fire-scene-12813955.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">no evidence</a> the supervisor was drunk. Peskin later <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Peskin-s-apology-comes-a-bit-late-12768689.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">apologized</a> for the incident.

Peskin also fell under scrutiny after he reportedly berated firefighters battling the blaze at the ruined building on March 17, 2018, and demanded the resignation of then-Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White over the handling of the fire. Firefighters had claimed Peskin <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/SF-firefighters-say-Supervisor-Peskin-12803523.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">appeared intoxicated</a> during the reported diatribe, although then-Central Station police captain Paul Yep said he saw <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/matier-ross/article/Supervisor-Peskin-wasn-t-drunk-at-fire-scene-12813955.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">no evidence</a> the supervisor was drunk. Peskin later <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Peskin-s-apology-comes-a-bit-late-12768689.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">apologized</a> for the incident.

As prime as prime can be. So why is this huge building still empty after years?

Noah Baustin

The ink is drying on <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/27/san-francisco-blows-state-housing-deadline-constraints-reduction-ordinance/">new laws</a> to streamline building in San Francisco, developers are eyeing <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/12/22/downtown-san-francisco-commecial-real-estate-new-era-2024/">bargain-priced Downtown</a> real estate and a towering new skyscraper is <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/16/new-skyscraper-proposed-for-downtown-san-francisco-would-be-citys-third-highest/">already in the works</a>. There’s no telling how the city’s skyline will be transformed in the coming decades.&nbsp;

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The ink is drying on <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/27/san-francisco-blows-state-housing-deadline-constraints-reduction-ordinance/">new laws</a> to streamline building in San Francisco, developers are eyeing <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/12/22/downtown-san-francisco-commecial-real-estate-new-era-2024/">bargain-priced Downtown</a> real estate and a towering new skyscraper is <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/16/new-skyscraper-proposed-for-downtown-san-francisco-would-be-citys-third-highest/">already in the works</a>. There’s no telling how the city’s skyline will be transformed in the coming decades.&nbsp;

That makes this an apt moment to look back at how much the City by the Bay has evolved throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.

That makes this an apt moment to look back at how much the City by the Bay has evolved throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.

Side-by-side historic aerial photographs owned by the San Francisco Public Library and <a href="https://sfplanninggis.org/1938/">published online</a> by the city’s Planning Department illustrate how dramatically the city has changed in the past 85 years.&nbsp;

Side-by-side historic aerial photographs owned by the San Francisco Public Library and <a href="https://sfplanninggis.org/1938/">published online</a> by the city’s Planning Department illustrate how dramatically the city has changed in the past 85 years.&nbsp;

It’s like a bird&#8217;s-eye view of San Francisco through a time machine. Over the years, highways replace avenues, world-famous stadiums rise in industrial zones and new homes grow out of the sand dunes.

It’s like a bird's-eye view of San Francisco through a time machine. Over the years, highways replace avenues, world-famous stadiums rise in industrial zones and new homes grow out of the sand dunes.

It’s like a bird&#8217;s-eye view of San Francisco through a time machine. Over the years, highways replace avenues, world-famous stadiums rise in industrial zones and new homes grow out of the sand dunes.

<figure class="wp-block-jetpack-image-compare"><div class="juxtapose" data-mode="horizontal"><img id="234960" src="https://i1.wp.com/content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/new-03.jpg?ssl=1" alt="An aerial view of the residential area in San Francisco’s Outer Sunset in 1938." width="2180" height="1454" class="image-compare__image-before"/><img id="234961" src="https://i0.wp.com/content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/new-04.jpg?ssl=1" alt="An aerial view of the residential area in San Francisco’s Outer Sunset in 2022." width="2182" height="1454" class="image-compare__image-after"/></div><figcaption>A 1938 aerial view, left, of the residential area in San Francisco’s Outer Sunset district includes swaths of sand dunes between the Lower Great Highway on the west, Funston Avenue on the east, Judah Street on the north and Vicente Street. The same area is shown in 2022, right. | Courtesy SF Planning</figcaption></figure>

jetpack/image-compare

<figure class="wp-block-jetpack-image-compare"><div class="juxtapose" data-mode="horizontal"><img id="234960" src="https://i1.wp.com/content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/new-03.jpg?ssl=1" alt="An aerial view of the residential area in San Francisco’s Outer Sunset in 1938." width="2180" height="1454" class="image-compare__image-before"/><img id="234961" src="https://i0.wp.com/content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/new-04.jpg?ssl=1" alt="An aerial view of the residential area in San Francisco’s Outer Sunset in 2022." width="2182" height="1454" class="image-compare__image-after"/></div><figcaption>A 1938 aerial view, left, of the residential area in San Francisco’s Outer Sunset district includes swaths of sand dunes between the Lower Great Highway on the west, Funston Avenue on the east, Judah Street on the north and Vicente Street. The same area is shown in 2022, right. | Courtesy SF Planning</figcaption></figure>

San Francisco’s sand dunes used to stretch well east of Ocean Beach. In fact, the aerial images from 1938 show that during that time, the dunes climbed as far east as 25th Avenue, nearly a mile and a half from the coast.

San Francisco’s sand dunes used to stretch well east of Ocean Beach. In fact, the aerial images from 1938 show that during that time, the dunes climbed as far east as 25th Avenue, nearly a mile and a half from the coast.

Before San Francisco became a destination during the gold rush, the San Francisco Peninsula was covered in at least a dozen square miles of sand dunes, according to the <a href="https://buriedhistory.exploratorium.edu/tour/sand-dunes">Exploratorium</a>. Large areas of bare sand on the western side of the peninsula were regularly blown east by winds coming off the Pacific Ocean, building massive dunes where Downtown stands now. As the city grew, people used steam shovels to dig the sand, hauled it using railroad cars to the shoreline and dumped it into the shallow waters of the bay, creating new land.

Before San Francisco became a destination during the gold rush, the San Francisco Peninsula was covered in at least a dozen square miles of sand dunes, according to the <a href="https://buriedhistory.exploratorium.edu/tour/sand-dunes">Exploratorium</a>. Large areas of bare sand on the western side of the peninsula were regularly blown east by winds coming off the Pacific Ocean, building massive dunes where Downtown stands now. As the city grew, people used steam shovels to dig the sand, hauled it using railroad cars to the shoreline and dumped it into the shallow waters of the bay, creating new land.

Photos published on the <a href="https://www.sfmta.com/blog/neighborhood-throwback-outer-sunset-edition">San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency blog</a> show that in 1904, huge dunes stretched south from Golden Gate Park. And in 1910, the city used specialized streetcars to gather sand from the dunes.&nbsp;

Photos published on the <a href="https://www.sfmta.com/blog/neighborhood-throwback-outer-sunset-edition">San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency blog</a> show that in 1904, huge dunes stretched south from Golden Gate Park. And in 1910, the city used specialized streetcars to gather sand from the dunes.&nbsp;

Over time, the expansive sand dunes were swallowed by the side-by-side houses filling the Sunset neighborhood.

Over time, the expansive sand dunes were swallowed by the side-by-side houses filling the Sunset neighborhood.

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Prominent San Francisco developer paid bribes to building inspection employees, Feds say

As prime as prime can be. So why is this huge building still empty after years?

Dunes to neighborhoods: Historic aerial photos show San Francisco’s transformation

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