Credits
From Benjamin Farrell
Working on distinguished properties in San Francisco can be challenging. It takes experience and skill to navigate California's historic preservation laws, which often put demands in place that contrast with the current owner's hopes and dreams. This house was designed by Houghton Sawyer as a commission by Adolf Spreckles in 1912. Sawyer was tasked with building the house for the notable family of five and the exacting standards of Alma Spreckles. Upon completion she promptly rejected the house, but retained it for her extended family and moved up the hill to the more famous house on Washington at Octavia now owned by Danielle Steele (coincidently the site of my first project as an intern in San Francisco).
The Vallejo house was left untouched for nearly a century till we remodeled the whole house, including the addition of twin 3-story bay windows looking out over the San Francisco Bay , a Roof Deck, Guest Suite, Art Studio, Gymnasium and outdoor terraces. Extensive landscaping of the entire property created a unique outdoor space for family use.