37.7967, −122.4047 A locator map appears here once a Mapbox token is configured.
Know This Place

District 3 · Block 0176, Lot 015 · ZIP 94133

124–140 Columbus Avenue

Store building

  • 3 stories
  • 5,368 ft2
  • 1,271 ft2 lot area
  • 9 rooms
  • 6 bathrooms
  • Zoned C2
  • Historic resource
  • Sold April 19, 2018
37.7967, −122.4047 Street View appears here once a Google Maps embed key is configured.
  1. 1911

    Built.

  2. 1920

    Reputedly the site of the Jupiter Club, briefly run by Jelly Roll Morton and his wife; the building was put up with a basement restaurant space.

    African American Citywide Historic Context Statement, adopted 2024
  3. 1936

    Mona's operated here between 1936 and 1938, one of the North Beach bars and restaurants the city's survey identifies as significant in San Francisco's LGBTQ history.

    North Beach Historic Context Statement, adopted 2022
  4. 1936

    Mona's Barrel House occupied the basement here from 1936, becoming a draw for lesbian patrons when it began featuring male-impersonating waitresses; a designated San Francisco landmark.

    Donna J. Graves and Shayne E. Watson, Citywide Historic Context Statement for LGBTQ History in San Francisco, San Francisco Planning Department, adopted by the Historic Preservation Commission November 18, 2015
  5. 1950–1965

    The city's survey names the Purple Onion at this address among the bars, cafes, bookshops and clubs of the North Beach Beat scene, whose period of significance it sets at about 1950 to 1965.

    North Beach Historic Context Statement, adopted 2022
  6. June 18, 1964

    Photographed.

    San Francisco Subjects Photograph Collection (SFP 162), San Francisco Public Library
  7. Feb 1984
    Permit 8401311 $$$ $5,000

    Mofyffying and convering existing music shop into coffe shop.

  8. Aug 1987
    Permit 8710990 $$$ $3,000

    Parapet 124 feet, add new skylight.

  9. October 9, 1988

    Robert Durden photographed the property.

    Robert Durden Color Slide Collection (SFP 42), San Francisco Public Library
  10. Mar 1998
    Permit 9804673 $$$ $800

    Replace refrigerator, minor rest remodeling (nov dtd 2/28/98).

  11. Oct 2000
    Permit 200010203582 $$$ $600

    Remove, repair & reinstall existing awning of dimensions 1 at 12 by 8 wide times 3 by 4 drop times 3.

  12. Oct 2012
    Permit 201210121972 $$$ $2,000

    Exploratory demolition of existing bar, restaurant, and office space to verify structrual framing, water damage areas, and existing electrical and plubming for future tenant improvement.

  13. Nov 2012
    Permit 201211013265 $$$ $12,000

    Exterior improvements to existing building include replace existing doors with new doors, awnings, gas heater, tenant signage, tile at base of window, and partial height glass partition at kitchen. all interior work to be under seperate permit #2012.1115.4318.

  14. Nov 2012
    Permit 201211154318 $$$ $275,000

    Full remodel of existing basement, 1st and 2nd floor restaurant and bar. provide new stairs, wheel chair lift, accessible restrms, and 2nd fl commercial kitchen per plan. interior work only under this permit. exterior improvements under separate permit201211013265. also renovating 3rd fl offices.

  15. Mar 2013
    Permit 201303273148 $$$ $17,500

    Rev. to permit application 201211154318- demolition existing concrete beam at 3rd floor, framing & foundation coordination with existing conditions.

  16. Jun 2013
    Permit 201306280709 $$$ $3,000

    Installation of ul 300 kitchen fire system. ref app#201303273148.

  17. Jul 2013
    Reinstated Permit 201307121662 $$$ $23,000

    Install new nfpa 13 fire sprinkler system. underground not included submit on separate permit. jjc.

  18. Aug 2013
    Permit 201308194662 $$$ $1,200

    Sprinkler waterflow & supervisory system, install new control panel on 1st floor, smoke detector above & pull station near panel. tie-in waterflow & tamper switch located in the basement to new panel. t.i. #2012.1115.4318.

  19. Oct 2013
    Permit 201310310731 $$$ $2,500

    As builts to fire sprinkler system permit #201307121662. add 10 sprinklers to attic. new remote area calc.

  20. Dec 2013
    Permit 201312053458 $$$ $10,000

    Revision to 201211154318 and 201211013265 including floor plan revision at basement floor, upgrade existing basement non compliant door. pge gas meter cabinet and fire dept drystand pipe, sidewalk repair. occupant load changed from 161 occupants down to 136 occupants.

  21. Jan 2014
    Issued Permit 201401287240 $$$ $2,000

    Erect backlit metal signage, powder coated metal signage with cutout load and led back lighting.

  22. May 2014
    Permit 201405095316 $$$ $3,000

    Change in appliance (locations) cookline require alterating original plans. ref app#201303273148. as-built to permit application 2013-0628-0709.

  23. Aug 2014
    Issued Permit 201408194177 $$$ $1,200

    Revision to app#201211154318, and 201312053458 to include at basement floor revise fixed seating location, revise occupancy of b/f.no work at exterior building. all work in basement only.

  24. Jan 2020
    Permit 202001293027 $$$ $9,500

    Soft demolition of interior non-bearing partitions. remove existing flooring, light fixtures, restroom fixtures and kitchen equipment. ab-017.

  25. Mar 2021
    Permit 202103056034 $$$ $400,000

    Interior remodel of existing restaurant and bar at 1st, 2nd and bsmt floors. no work at existing 3/f office ste.1/f-remodel existing bar and bathroom.2/f-remodel existing commercial kitchen and bathroom. bsmt-remodel existing bar, stage and bathrooms. add new commercial kithcen and dishwash area. no exterior work previous.

  26. Aug 2021
    Permit 202108317462 $$$ $2,600

    Installation of new ul300 ansul hood & duct fire suppression system.

  27. Oct 2021
    Permit 202110080095 $$$ $16,926

    Add and relocate fire sprinklers main at basement & 2nd floor per tenant improvement (relocate 26, add 5) ref#202103056034.

  28. May 2022
    Permit 202205033458 $$$ $5,000

    Add onto existing fire system due to interior remodeling. install radio comm monitor modules to tie-in ansul systems. relay modules to shut down music. ref permit application 201308194662 & 202103056034.

  29. Jun 2024
    Issued Permit 202406134398 $$$ $5,000

    Upgrade waterproofing system at existing below grade buliding wall/foundation along the property line adajacent to 100 columbus ave. no interior work.

DBI holds 30 permits for this parcel, most of them tenant improvements on individual floors. The timeline shows the 24 largest by stated cost, plus the earliest on file; the DBI query in the sources below returns all 30. 5 of them are nominal $1 street-space or sidewalk permits. 2 expired permits are not shown.

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