Description

Welcome to 3743 20th Street, an architecturally significant Victorian residence ideally situated in the heart of San Francisco’s sought after Liberty Hill Historic District. Built in 1865 for shipwright Edward Doyle, the home showcases rare balloon frame construction using continuous redwood timbers that run from foundation to roof, an early structural technique prized for its resiliency. Together with its neighbor at 3747, it is among the oldest surviving homes on the block and stands as a living record of mid nineteenth century craftsmanship.

The setting is extraordinary. Just one half block from Dolores Park at the corner of 20th and Dolores, this street enjoys a picturesque tree canopy, underground utilities that preserve uncluttered sightlines, and an intact collection of historic Victorian and Edwardian residences. Walkable access to Valencia Street’s celebrated dining and retail corridor places countless amenities at your fingertips, while the J Church streetcar provides direct connections to Noe Valley, the Castro, and downtown.

Originally constructed as a single family home, the property was thoughtfully remodeled into 2 flats in the 1920s, along with a large bonus storage area below. The south facing lot orientation ensures excellent natural light throughout the day, especially across the rear facade, exclusive decks, and garden spaces.

The upper flat, freshly renovated and currently vacant, welcomes you with refinished hardwood floors, updated designer lighting, and a charming curved banister leading into a dramatic open volume living space. The pitched ceiling has been opened across the full width of the building, creating impressive height and scale. A picturesque bay window dining nook frames sweeping northern views that include downtown San Francisco, the Mission High School bell tower, the East Bay, and even the peak of Mount Diablo on a clear day. Multiple skylights further illuminate the space with natural daylight.

The updated kitchen offers solid wood cabinetry with new designer hardware, quartz countertops, a contemporary deep stainless steel sink, new faucet and garbage disposal, and a nearly floor to ceiling south facing window. A brand new refrigerator complements a beautifully preserved enamel O Keefe and Merritt vintage stove, beloved for culinary versatility and period styling.

From the kitchen, a clever sliding barn door opens to the large south facing primary bedroom, filled with natural light from three expansive windows and a French door leading to the unit’s exclusive rear deck. The scale comfortably accommodates a king size bed, workspace, and additional furnishings. The barn door creates a flexible layout that allows open flow for entertaining toward the outdoors or privacy as needed.

A second front bedroom, formerly the home’s fainting room, enjoys a large north facing window with tranquil tree top outlooks and city vistas. The generously sized bath features an oversized jetted tub with shower, in unit laundry, natural light via a skylight, pedestal sink, and a rare vintage storage cabinet with enamel countertop, tin panel detailing, and glass shelved interior, an exquisite storage piece.

The exclusive rear deck of the upper unit provides direct stair access to the shared garden. At the back of the building, pride of ownership is evident. Updated siding, freshly stained decking, and dual pane contemporary windows improve efficiency while respecting historical character. The building also includes solar power with 1.05 kilowatts allocated to the lower unit and 1.27 kilowatts allocated to the top floor.

Below, a large bonus storage room features ventilation, lighting, and a makeshift bathroom with toilet, shower, and sink. While not a separate dwelling unit, it offers meaningful utility for hobbies, gear, or additional storage revenue potential.

The south side of this block famously survived the 1906 fire due to a functioning “Golden Hydrant” at 20th and Church, still honored annually with a neighborhood celebration where the hydrant is repainted gold. Architectural differences between the surviving historic homes here and the reconstructed homes across the street remain visible today. This residence has weathered the city’s major earthquakes of November 1865, April 1906, and October 1989, testimony to both construction quality and stewardship over time.

Living here means stepping into a quintessential San Francisco streetscape with historic lines, mature trees, active neighborhood culture, and the city’s premier park only steps away. Sidewalk cafe seating, artisan bakeries, corner markets, and convenient transit options create an effortless urban rhythm.

3743 20th Street is a rare opportunity to own a meaningful piece of San Francisco’s architectural fabric, an early Victorian Italianate residence gracefully adapted for modern living, drenched in sunlight, rich in provenance, and surrounded by some of the city’s most desirable amenities.

Rental Income Overview

This property includes 2 residential flats along with a large bonus storage area that may generate additional income. The upper flat is presently vacant and is estimated to rent for $4,800 per month in the current market.

The middle flat is currently occupied at $3,300 per month. There is an additional banked rent increase of $235 per month that may be applied according to local rent ordinance guidelines, bringing the potential monthly rent for this unit to $3,535.

The large bonus storage room on the lower level has an approximate estimated rental value of $700 per month. This space has historically been used by the owner for storage, workspace, and other flexible purposes.

Estimated Monthly Gross Income

Upper flat estimated rent: $4,800
Middle flat current rent plus banked increase: $3,535
Storage area estimated rent: $700

Total estimated monthly gross income: $9,035

Total estimated annual gross income: $108,420

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