Rare Foster City Eichler, 1906 SF Cottage, and Brisbane Beauty With Bay Views
Eicher on the market is just one of 200 built in Foster City.
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Well, hello there. This week our man in the South Bay is back, this time to talk about a rare Eichler up for grabs in Foster City. A 1906 cottage is on the market and sure looks like an earthquake shack. Plus, a beautiful Brisbane abode with astonishing views comes on the market for the first time. And I’m back on the Vaillancourt Fountain beat, as the time for dismantling the 50-year-old sculpture is nigh.
But first, it turns out Waymo self-driving cars sometimes rely on remote human drivers in the Philippines to maneuver the robot cars in “unusual situations.” What the heck?
And Californians: Remember to grab a reusable shopping bag when you head to the grocery store. As of Jan. 1, the “updated” bag ban has nixed plastic bags at checkouts (only paper bags will be available from now on). The state law mandates that if you use a store-provided bag, you’ll be charged a minimum of 10 cents. That was over 10 years ago. But “reusable” plastic bags were still also allowed for a nominal fee. That loophole of convenience has resulted in some 460,000 pounds of single-use plastic bags in California’s municipal waste in 2021. This updated ban may be news to my local stores, which still offer those thick plastic bags in a pinch.
Also, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie’s Family Zoning Plan, which seeks to build up housing on the westside and Northside of the city near transit hubs, is facing a second lawsuit, this one asserting that the plan doesn’t go far enough to meet housing goals. An earlier lawsuit filed last month by critics of the mayor’s plan seeks further review. Both suits come as the city faces a looming state deadline of 82,000 new units by 2031, and so far is way off the goal.
Plus, with the severe rain storms, veterinarians are sounding the alarm about a rise in cases of leptospirosis, a highly contagious bacterial disease, among dogs in the Bay Area. Consider vaccinating your pet, and make sure to keep them from drinking or swimming in freshwater ponds or streams.
Vaillancourt Fountain fans file lawsuit
For those keeping tabs, the move of the massive Vaillancourt Fountain has had a last-minute wrench thrown into the schedule. It was slated to be dismantled and removed from Embarcadero Plaza and placed in offsite storage at a cost of $4 million. However, Friends of the Plaza have filed a lawsuit attempting to halt the process, alleging the action “unlawful,” as the “emergency” process will circumvent the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
In a statement, Liz Watykus, Executive Director of Docomomo US, one of the organizations behind the lawsuit, says in part, “San Francisco is now attempting to remove a defining work of Modernist landscape architecture by manufacturing a crisis. If this so-called ‘emergency’ is allowed to stand, no historic resource will be safe from politically motivated destruction.”
As I’ve previously reported, last November, the SF Arts Commission made the controversial decision to disassemble the five-decade old, 40-foot high, and 700-ton sculpture, much to the outcry of art preservationists and its 96-year-old creator, Alexis Vaillancourt. Made from precast concrete square tubes, it’s designed to pump 30,000 gallons of water per minute.
The concrete fountain has since run dry, and has been fenced off since last year. Estimated to cost some $29 million to restore it, which is roughly the same cost as the entire planned makeover plan of the plaza and adjacent park, estimated to be $32.5 million.
Contacted for comment, a spokesperson for the City Attorney’s Office, Jen Kwart provided this statement: “The structural deterioration of the Vaillancourt Fountain poses a significant safety hazard to the public, and Planning Department’s CEQA determination allows the City to protect residents and visitors by disassembling and safely storing the fountain. We will review the lawsuit and respond in court.”
A Rare Eichler in Foster City attracts offer in a week
There have been around 100 Eichler sales over the past six months across California with prices ranging from $1 million to $5 million.
Digging deeper into those Eichler sales in the past half-year, about five of them took place in Foster City. If you’re unfamiliar with the small town right at the western base of the San Mateo Bridge, it’s home to around 200 Eichlers dotted throughout its neighborhoods. Folks zipping by on Highway 92 are likely unaware of the MCM magic sprinkled within this suburb.
Brief history sidebar: Established in the mid-1960s, Foster City arose from the marshes along the Bay and is built on top of compacted landfill. A system of waterways and lagoons criss-crosses the small town and ensures some residents can lay claim to waterfront property.
Right now, this Eichler is up for sale in town and it’s a sweet deal. Located on Puffin Court and just a couple of blocks from the Bay, the five-bedroom home listed for $1,795,000. The price proved prescient and enticing, because the home attracted an offer above asking after just a week on the market.
And while this mid-century modern home isn’t on the water, its price of $907 per square foot compares well with the city’s current price of $896 per square foot. As listing agent Marcell Neri of City Real Estate told us, this home has “a slightly larger footprint than most [other Eichlers].”
Inside, it bears many signature Eichler elements including an open-air atrium, floor-to-ceiling windows, and radiant heat.
Neri says the home straddles the fine line between a fully restored showpiece and a full-on fixer. “It retains many of its original architectural details—preserving the integrity and spirit that make Eichlers so special—while benefiting from thoughtful maintenance and subtle modern updates over time.”
A new owner could choose to makeover the kitchen and bathrooms, which haven’t had full-scale modern remodels. Or those could be done over time—the place is perfectly livable as-is.
It’s a relatively rare treat along the Peninsula. And Neri is well aware. He says, “Eichler homes remain highly sought after, yet only a handful typically come to market each year.”
— Erik Gunther
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Is this cottage from 1906 an earthquake shack?
A historic Bernal Heights abode has come on the market, and its look, size, and age, caused me to do a double take. Because it really does look like an earthquake shack.
You see, after the deadly 1906 earthquake and fire left thousands without homes, a massive effort to quickly build shelters for those in need.
Some 5,300 wood cottages went up in parks, including the Presidio, but were meant to be temporary. Tenants were charged $2 a month towards the $50 price tag. Once paid off, the cottage had to be moved out of the green space. Therefore, Some of these little “relief cottages,” which were hauled out of the camps by horse and carriage, can still be found around the city, although few remain.
The trustee of the property couldn’t confirm if this particular property is an earthquake shack, but based on the size, timing and location, thinks “it very well could be.” I’ve also asked an organization that researches these structures, the Western Neighborhoods Project, if this address is on their radar, because two other homes on Moultrie St are confirmed earthquake shacks, but have yet to hear back. Either way, for someone who likes a project, this little fixer could be the one.
Available for $798,800, the two-bed, one bath, 810 square-foot pad was last sold in 1976. Not much has been done with the interior, which features wood floors, a compact kitchen, and a tiled bath with a glass brick wall. The kitchen leads out to a 1,747 square-foot yard with a patio and a garden shed. The property also includes a garage with room for a washer-dryer along with a car.
Set on a corner lot, the petite property is located in the “highly desirable” Bernal Heights ‘hood, just two blocks from the shops and restaurants of vibrant Cortland Ave.
The listing notes that this fixer offers “a rare opportunity for buyers or contractors looking to create something special.”
Listing agent Lynn Bell notes, “The 287 Moultrie Street listing is located in a super cute neighborhood! What makes Bernal Heights special is that it feels like its own little community. It is surrounded by Bernal Heights Park which creates a very ‘village’ like feel . . . . It is easy to understand why this particular neighborhood is beloved in the city.”
Lynn Bell and Nick Ramos of Christie’s International Real Estate Sereno represent the listing.
Briefly noted: Beautiful in Brisbane
While it’s sure to be quickly snapped up, I had to share this Brisbane property, because the water views are something special. Built in 1987 for its current owners, it’s landed on the market for the first time with a price tag of $1,595,000.
The four-bedroom, 2,610-square-foot space features panoramic water views of the SF Bay, Brisbane Lagoon, Brisbane Downtown and partial views to San Francisco.
The open floor plan and multiple decks take full advantage of the water views. Naturally, the place is “perfect for entertaining,” notes Compass listing agent John DiDomenico, who adds that the sellers “loved to entertain.” The owners note that although San Francisco tends to have chilly temps, the “shielded Brisbane valley means sun and temps typically 10-15 degrees warmer than SF.” More time out on the deck!
Offers came in on Tuesday, and DiDomnico will surely know who will be the lucky buyer by the end of the week.
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Must Like Fog is a San Francisco-based newsletter that’s looking at must-see real estate, cool architecture, fun neighborhoods, and more. Come obsess with me, a long-time real estate reporter who wants to keep the party going with a Bay Area twist. If you’re into real estate, the Bay Area, and want to get the inside track on these topics and more, please subscribe.
Huge thanks to editor extraordinaire Erik Gunther.