The Founder of Blue Bottle Coffee Lists a Stylish San Francisco Victorian For $3.85M

This 1894 Queen Anne Victorian was renovated by the same firm that designed Blue Bottle's pared-down cafes.

Currently owned by Blue Bottle Coffee founder James Freeman and his wife Caitlin Williams Freeman, this San Francisco Victorian was remodeled in 2017, by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson—the same architects behind many of Blue Bottle's cafes. Located in Alamo Square, the home has a clean, pared-down aesthetic with minimalist lines, blonde wood, and light surfaces.

The residence includes four bedrooms, a library, three-and-a-half bathrooms, a wine closet, and a bright office. There is also a two-car garage with interior access to the home and a private roof deck.

The residence includes four bedrooms, a library, three-and-a-half bathrooms, a wine closet, and a bright office. There is also a two-car garage with interior access to the home and a private roof deck.

The 1894 Queen Anne Victorian features an open floor plan that juxtaposes classic original features with cool modern elements—many of which are customized for the home. 

The 1894 Queen Anne Victorian features an open floor plan that juxtaposes classic original features with cool modern elements—many of which are customized for the home. 

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The architects preserved many of the home's original elements—such as its colorful stained glass windows and elegantly carved Victorian fireplace. Modern additions include a wall of floating laminate bookshelves with exposed plywood edges and a WallyGro vertical garden. The current residents are also art collectors, and the home features murals painted by some of the local artists they know and love.

The Freeman children play in the living room, which features an elegantly carved fireplace. 

The Freeman children play in the living room, which features an elegantly carved fireplace. 

The family loves books. This wall of bookshelves was custom-designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson and fabricated by Tomlinson Woodworks. A bespoke reading nook is on the right.

The family loves books. This wall of bookshelves was custom-designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson and fabricated by Tomlinson Woodworks. A bespoke reading nook is on the right.

The shelving echoes the interiors of some Blue Bottle cafes.

The shelving echoes the interiors of some Blue Bottle cafes.

The custom-made reading nook. A Fnnch poppy mural is located on the outside wall.

The custom-made reading nook. A Fnnch poppy mural is located on the outside wall.

The dining room table seats 10 and features an integrated lazy Susan. It is crafted from white laminated plywood with Birdseye maple legs. Designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson architects and manufactured by Tomlinson Woodworks, it is available to purchase separately.

The dining room table seats 10 and features an integrated lazy Susan. It is crafted from white laminated plywood with Birdseye maple legs. Designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson architects and manufactured by Tomlinson Woodworks, it is available to purchase separately.

Caitlin is an author and a pastry chef. The self-taught baker is the former owner of the San Francisco cake and sweets shop Miette. The kitchen is designed to accommodate the family's cooking needs—naturally, a home for the coffee bar was a priority.

Caitlin is an author and a pastry chef. The self-taught baker is the former owner of the San Francisco cake and sweets shop Miette. The kitchen is designed to accommodate the family's cooking needs—naturally, a home for the coffee bar was a priority.

The kitchen enjoys natural light and features white Corian counters, custom powder-coated aluminum shelves, and a WallyGro greens wall with automatic watering and lighting integration. The family uses the greens and herbs in their meals.

The kitchen enjoys natural light and features white Corian counters, custom powder-coated aluminum shelves, and a WallyGro greens wall with automatic watering and lighting integration. The family uses the greens and herbs in their meals.

The garage features a custom redwood wine cellar.

The garage features a custom redwood wine cellar.

Butterflies and insects by Fnnch decorate the walls of one of the children's rooms. 

Butterflies and insects by Fnnch decorate the walls of one of the children's rooms. 

The light-filled master bedroom features hardwood floors and lighting from Mooi. 

The light-filled master bedroom features hardwood floors and lighting from Mooi. 

The master bathroom has a freestanding tub by Randolph Morris. Local artist Tatiana Hockenos painted above the tub in the master bathroom. The shower is separate.

The master bathroom has a freestanding tub by Randolph Morris. Local artist Tatiana Hockenos painted above the tub in the master bathroom. The shower is separate.

The bathroom features wall-mounted Duravit washbasins and custom shelves for eyeglasses. 

The bathroom features wall-mounted Duravit washbasins and custom shelves for eyeglasses. 

A large mural by Brian Barneclo is located in the nursery. 

A large mural by Brian Barneclo is located in the nursery. 

The children's bathroom.

The children's bathroom.

The home office features a laminate desk and cabinets in a bright, cheery yellow. They were designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson and made by Tomlinson Woodworks.

The home office features a laminate desk and cabinets in a bright, cheery yellow. They were designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson and made by Tomlinson Woodworks.

At first, the Freemans wanted to install an espresso bar in the upstairs home office—but foreseeing many children's parties in their future, they set up the space as a gift-wrapping station instead.

At first, the Freemans wanted to install an espresso bar in the upstairs home office—but foreseeing many children's parties in their future, they set up the space as a gift-wrapping station instead.

A skylight adds natural lighting at the top of the stairs. 

A skylight adds natural lighting at the top of the stairs. 

The home also has a private rooftop deck with city views.

The home also has a private rooftop deck with city views.

811 Pierce Street is now being listed for $3,850,000 by Adelaida Mejia of Vanguard Properties.

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Jennifer Baum Lagdameo
Dwell Contributor
Jennifer Baum Lagdameo is a freelance design writer who has lived in Washington DC, Brooklyn, Tokyo, Manila, and is currently exploring the Pacific Northwest from her home base in Portland, Oregon.

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