Project posted by Benjamin Farrell

Pacific Heights Historic Renovation

Prior to this project, the rear elevation was a tangled mess of odd sized windows and balconies that were never completed. We gave it symmetry and scale to compliment the orderliness of the rest of the house.
Prior to this project, the rear elevation was a tangled mess of odd sized windows and balconies that were never completed. We gave it symmetry and scale to compliment the orderliness of the rest of the house.
Twin palm trees flank the stairs from a large gathering terrace to the tennis court sized lawn.
Twin palm trees flank the stairs from a large gathering terrace to the tennis court sized lawn.
With three kids in the house, a slide makes a way more fun trip from the playing court to the terrace. Adults can descend those boring stairs.
With three kids in the house, a slide makes a way more fun trip from the playing court to the terrace. Adults can descend those boring stairs.
We salvaged the skylight and made a cupola on the playing court for the kids.
We salvaged the skylight and made a cupola on the playing court for the kids.
Insanely meticulous landscaping by Christopher Reynolds. This is the view from the newly created Art Studio.
Insanely meticulous landscaping by Christopher Reynolds. This is the view from the newly created Art Studio.
A Dining Terrace made a much better use of the Garage roof. It looks down over the Gathering Terrace.
A Dining Terrace made a much better use of the Garage roof. It looks down over the Gathering Terrace.
Peek-a-boo views of Angel Island out in San Francisco Bay.
Peek-a-boo views of Angel Island out in San Francisco Bay.
Broad sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay that you only get on the coveted North slope of Pacific Heights. It's amazing up here.
Broad sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay that you only get on the coveted North slope of Pacific Heights. It's amazing up here.

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.