This $20 Million Prewar Penthouse in San Francisco Shows Off Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge
A classic San Francisco neighborhood known for its panoramic views and architecturally significant homes, Pacific Heights stands in contrast to the frenetic development elsewhere in the city.
First popularized in the 1870s, the tony area still nods to its past with turn-of-the-century residences and Victorian architecture nestled between modern single-family structures. One such building, 2000 Washington, currently has a rare prewar penthouse for sale. Across the street from Lafayette Park with unobstructed sightlines to San Francisco Bay—from the Golden Gate Bridge to Alcatraz to Russian Hill—the two-level, 6,175-square-foot unit caps a property with noted design history.
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“The building is 100 years old and designed by Conrad Meussdorffer, a great architect of many of our city’s civic buildings and storied apartments,” says Gregg Lynn of Sotheby’s International Realty–San Francisco Brokerage.
Renovated in 2014 by architect Andrew Skurman—whose work on the penthouse received a Julia Morgan Award from the Institute of Classical Architecture & Arts Northern California Chapter—the four-bedroom residence was gutted and redesigned to honor its original beaux-arts style. Accessed by elevator, the home is full of period details, starting with an entry gallery and enfilade surrounded by decorative molding and detailed skylights. “The parquet Versailles flooring is waxed to help spread light throughout the home,” Lynn says. “Elements of classical architecture such as columns, rosettes, and arches make this property very refined.”
Three of the four bedrooms are clustered at the south end of the penthouse’s main level, with public, entertaining-focused zones—kitchen, breakfast nook, and dining, living, and family rooms—to the north. Large rooms flow into one another, giving the layout an open feeling, while pocket doors offer the versatility to create smaller, salon-like spaces. The primary suite features an enviably oversize walk-in closet, and all en suite bathrooms have marble bathtubs. In contrast to the dark wood floors, the walls and ceilings are painted white, bringing a contemporary finish throughout the home.
A sweeping curved staircase to the second level leads to a flexible library and media room. Up here you’ll also find a wet bar and a landscaped terrace with some of the most spectacular views of the North Bay. “It’s a powerful place to spend time,” Lynn says. “With this home, you’re buying a piece of history.”
The penthouse is currently listed for $19.9 million with Sotheby’s International Realty–San Francisco Brokerage.
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