NEIGHBORHOOD MAKEOVERS 2015 (#1 in a series)

Work on the Frank Norris Apartments building between Bush and Pine Streets, which began in November 2014, is still ongoing.

Hopefully, when finished, it won’t be like the southern wall, shown below.

Missed a spot.

A remodeling of the the drab, hasn’t-been-painted-in-30+-years apartment building at 1517 Pine Street

Photo from Redfin.com

has been completed.

I think it came out nice. I don't care for the gray paint job, but it's certainly easier to keep up.




Copyright © by Chris Enquist 1/28/15

NEIGHBORHOOD BLACKOUT

The big storm last of Thursday wiped out electricity for more about 6 hours in my neighborhood, from a little after 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. Unfortunately, I had to be out that morning, and managed to take these photos.

Trader Joe’s and CVS were dark at 10 a.m.

No lights anywhere on California, whether looking west toward Polk

or east toward the bay.

Even St. Francis Hospital was dark, operating on only one generator.

But the best photo was this one,

of a lone, beleaguered city employee working to unclog a massively backed-up sewer at Bush and Hyde Streets.

Copyright © by Chris Enquist 12/13/14

NEIGHBORHOOD UPDATE: ENCORE EXPRESS HOTEL REMODELING

The make-over of the Encore Express Hotel at 1353 Bush has been completed. The outside bricks have been cleaned and fresh new paint applied to the woodwork.

I like the black-and-white keyboard detailing running along the top of the building.

Copyright © by Chris Enquist 10/21/14

NEIGHBORHOOD MURALS (#6 in a series 10-19-14)

A new mural has arrived in the neighborhood. Painted on the wall of Toast Restaurant at the the corner of Sacramento and Polk.

It was done by local artist Sirron Norris, whose work I've seen in other parts of town.

It's a joyful piece.

It already seems pretty popular with visitors and locals alike. 

Copyright © by Chris Enquist 10/20/14

SIGN FOR A DAY (OR TWO)

I don’t know who was responsible for this drawing on the south side of the bus stop at Polk and Sutter earlier this week.

I doubt it was Clear Channel. Whoever it was went to a lot of trouble, as the drawing is clearly placed inside the display, not on it.

Unfortunately, like a mayfly, it’s time was brief. As of yesterday, it’s gone

replaced by one of those ubiquitous Fernet-Branca ads.

Copyright © by Chris Enquist 8/15/14

WORLD CUP 2014 FLAGS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

World Cup Flags, Playland Bar, 1351 Polk at Pine

Copyright © by Chris Enquist 6/2/14

NOTHING SAYS NEW MONEY LIKE: THE MARLOW (#1 in a series)

This is The Marlow (no relation to Philip)

a cluster of 98 one-to-three-bedroom townhouses just opened at the corner of Clay and Van Ness.

Prices of these townhouses start at $1,000,000 and go up from there (I’m basing this statement on the price list given to me by one of the nice salespeople when I stopped by The Marlow’s sales office at 1649 Polk).

They also gave me a copy of the floor plan for Residence 404.

The website of The Marlow (http://www.themarlow.com/) has a musical virtual-reality video tour of what living at The Marlow will be like, showing what you're getting for your million dollars.

The video also pans about the neighborhood – which, for The Marlow, starts at Sacramento & Polk and then turns straight north into Russian Hill. The video recommends a number of neighborhood businesses, most of which are high-end restaurants and watering holes. The only business The Marlow recognizes south of Sacramento Street is a high-end bar, Bitters Bock and Rye at Post and Polk (apparently, The Marlow doesn't think places like Sliders, et al., are good enough for its residents).

Sliders, Polk and Sutter Streets

All of the 98 townhouses at this The Marlow have been sold. I passed by the now-closed sales office recently 

and saw this sign in the window:

letting all those who just missed out know that they still have an opportunity to live the The Marlow life in The City.

As for what the new townhouse residents of this particular The Marlow will be like, time will tell (hopefully, they won't be as snooty as The Marlow). I also hope they tip well – at least 15% or more. There’s nothing worse than cheapskate millionaires.

Copyright © by Chris Enquist 4/20/14

NEIGHBORHOOD OPENINGS #3 -- CITY PAWS

 Newly opened in the neighborhood is City Paws by For Paws Salon, located at 1112 Sutter between Larkin and Polk.

It's a dog and cat grooming salon that offers full service grooming, as well as a quick wash-and-blowdry for those times when you can't take that dog smell any longer.

Jason of City Paws

Copyright © by Chris Enquist 3/23/14