Know This Place
37.7389, −122.4162 A locator map appears here once a Mapbox token is configured.

500 Cortland Avenue

Bernal Heights · San Francisco, CA 94110

  • Built 1900
  • Building
  • 2 stories
  • Zoned P
  • District 9
  • Historic status: unevaluated
37.7389, −122.4162 Street View appears here once a Google Maps embed key is configured.
41,300 sq ftLot area
  1. 1935–1941

    The Works Progress Administration excavated and graded the site, built 75 feet of rubble wall and paved 16,000 square feet of playground behind the Bernal Heights branch library.

    San Francisco New Deal Historic Context Statement, adopted 2023
  2. 1940

    One of only two substantial buildings the Works Progress Administration put up for the city, this $41,709 branch library was designed by the veteran architect Frederick H. Meyer in a blend of Classical Revival and Mission Revival motifs and completed in 1940, with an adjoining playground. Its main reading room has decorative ceiling stencilling by unrecorded artists.

    San Francisco New Deal Historic Context Statement, adopted 2023
  3. Oct 1990

    Remove & replace vinyl floor tile (app #9022476) for detail.

    Expired Permit 9022479 $$$ $525
  4. Jul 1994

    Horizontal.

    Issued Permit 9411229 $$$ $190,000
  5. Nov 2007

    Bernal height-branch library. newentry ramp, rear ramp at west side plaza.interior wk incl new stair, elev, mechanical. hvac system, newelec. service & lighting. demolition of all int.lowerlevel& const.ofnew upper floor incl.newada doors, casework& finishes, seismic upgrade incl. conc.openings, roof strengthenings.

    Complete Permit 200711218773 $$$ $3,200,000
  6. Sep 2009

    Provide an elevator recall system only.

    Complete Permit 200909166956 $$$ $4,370
  7. 2023

    Recommended for city landmark designation in 2023, on historical, aesthetic and artistic grounds.

    San Francisco New Deal Historic Context Statement, adopted 2023
  8. May 2025

    Barrier removal: alteration to 2 existing restrooms to create single user restrooms. removal of toilet compartment partitions, rearangement of toilet compartment partitions, install unisex restroom geometric symbol signs, install threshold, new door hardware, & relocate 1 existing baby diaper changing station.

    Complete Permit 202505025715 $$$ $5,000
  9. Jul 2025

    Installation of a new chidlren's play area and play area surface. required path of travel work consisting of upgrading the restroom to full compliance alteration to 2 entries and pedestrian routes at play area and lower court.

    Complete Permit 202507160953 $$$ $815,000

8 nominal $1 street-space or sidewalk permits are omitted from the timeline.

Not yet documented: the architect and builder, the early tenants and the date of the last recorded sale. The assessor dates the building to 1900; Planning's historic resource survey records 1940. Submit an update