Architect John Kleman and his partner, studio director Georgianna Salz-Kleman, spent years looking for a home in San Francisco before finding the perfect fixer-upper in the neighborhood of Glen Park. Built in 1949, the two-story home sits on a coveted corner lot at the base of one of the city’s tallest paved peaks. The area offers unobstructed views and access to numerous open spaces, and it has cultivated a community where neighbors stick around for a lifetime.

“The original owner had been unable to maintain it for decades,” Georgianna remembers. This was in 2010, so the market wasn’t what it is now—but real estate still wasn’t cheap. “To sweeten our purchase offer, we said we’d take the house as-is and clean it out ourselves.”

The couple bought the home knowing they would need to work on it, and this kicker put the cherry on top of that plan. “The clean-out required three truckloads of removed furniture, materials, and debris,” John says. Once it was cleared of discarded belongings, they focused on the decaying fence, falling deck, and masonry chimney between the kitchen and living area that was too heavy for the wood floor.

“We spent most nights and nearly every weekend painting, repairing, and updating wherever we could,” Georgianna adds. “We did everything ourselves: We rebuilt the deck, installed a fence inspired by Rudolph Schindler, cleared the yard, and resuscitated two neglected Meyer lemon trees. We daydreamed and sketched all along about how we might take better advantage of the unique site and views someday.”

As the years passed, the pair continued to make this home their own. They scoured Craigslist for midcentury furniture, built retaining walls, and put in a new furnace. They replaced the appliances one by one, and made countless shopping trips to Ikea for countertops and curtains. “We enjoyed exercising some of the skills we used for clients, but in a more direct way,” John says. And as they worked, they also learned more about the history that surrounded them.

“This model was called a Junior Five for its configuration of five small rooms over an unfinished walk-out basement or garage. It was marketed by the original developer, Sunstream Homes, as their most affordable house,” Georgianna says. “Because they are typically attached to their neighbors, the original model had almost no windows facing the south side—which was toward the view in our case.”

In 2013, their daughter Sonia was born, and plans for bigger changes were put on hold. But three years later, it seemed as though another can’t-miss opportunity came their way.

“When accessory dwelling units (ADUs) were being talked about as part of an affordable housing solution and the local planning rules were adjusted to allow ADUs in single-family zoning, we realized we could both help the housing shortage and generate income to help offset the cost of an expansion,” John says. “The increase in our property value also meant we could borrow from the accumulated equity and begin to seriously contemplate a modest expansion.”

The couple already knew that a third-floor addition and more windows would open up views of downtown and almost all of the South and East Bay, so they jumped at this chance. It took another 18 months of planning and permits to start the home’s next chapter, and as they waited for approvals, they called up contacts who could join in. “We selected Eamon O'Shaughnessy for the heavy construction, brought in friends as consultants and subcontractors, and made use of frequent suppliers like Blomberg Windows to do the special features,” John says.

They envisioned a three-bedroom, two bathroom home with a third-floor suite as their private domain. South-facing windows would stretch across all the living spaces (including a projecting bay window), and a steel-and-wood structure would support an exterior staircase and two private decks.

“These two design choices—the bay window and the decks—were the best way to gain light and views while dramatically improving the overall organization of the house,” Georgianna notes.

But perhaps the biggest change would be the construction of a studio on the ground floor of the property, which would be entirely separate from the main house. “We wanted to expand our home, but we didn’t want—nor could we afford—a big three-story house in San Francisco,” John says. “The ADU allowed us to add a third floor, take maximum advantage of the views, and have a friend live close by—but not with us.”

Construction took about a year (things moved slowly at the start of the pandemic), and then it took another year to smooth out the details and finish the landscaping. They aimed to keep the interior materials modest to place the focus on the light and scenery. “We love bright colors against bright-white paint and natural woods,” Georgianna says. “We brought those layers into the house with our art, furniture, and fabrics.”

It’s been many years since the story of their home began, but this past summer, it felt complete—well, as much as it can be. “Our friend Rebecca, an elementary school teacher, rents the apartment on the lower floor and joins us for dinner at least one night a week,” he says. “But the renovation may never be truly finished, because we'll be tinkering with things as long as we live here. That’s just who we are.”

Related Reading:

14 of the Best Midcentury Renovations Setting the Bar in San Francisco

This “Well-Behaved” Home Hides an Ocean of Blue Behind its Doors

Project Details:

Architect of Record/Lighting/Interior Design: John Kleman and Georgianna Salz-Kleman, LSAO

Builder: Eamon O'Shaughnessey Construction

Structural Engineer: Michael Forbes, Fratessa Forbes Wong

Civil Engineer: Andrew Scavullo, Murray Engineers

Landscape Design: Amy Wolff, CEARA Studio

Cabinetry Design: Charlie Feist

Window Manufacturer: Jeremy Drucker, Blomberg Windows

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It Took More Than a Decade for This San Francisco Home to Feel Complete