Know This Place
37.7976, −122.4066 A locator map appears here once a Mapbox token is configured.

261–271 Columbus Avenue

Chinatown · San Francisco, CA 94133

  • Built 1907
  • Store building
  • 2 stories
  • Zoned BDWY
  • District 3
  • Historic status: historic resource
  • City landmark (Article 10)
37.7976, −122.4066 Street View appears here once a Google Maps embed key is configured.
4,110 sq ftBuilding area
1,768 sq ftLot area
13Rooms · 4 baths
  1. 1907

    A stuccoed brick commercial building, later the home of City Lights Bookstore; the city's survey names Oliver Everett as its architect.

    North Beach Historic Context Statement, adopted 2022
  2. 1913

    Vitalini Fotografia Italiana occupied the upper floor here, one of at least six Italian-owned studios on the 1913 Sanborn map.

    North Beach Historic Context Statement, adopted 2022
  3. 1953

    City Lights Bookstore, founded by Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Peter D. Martin as the nation's first all-paperback bookstore opened here in 1953; the city's survey names it among the places of the North Beach Beat scene.

    North Beach Historic Context Statement, adopted 2022
  4. 1982

    Recorded in the city's 1982 survey of North Beach, adopted by the Board of Supervisors in 1999, as an individually listed resource. The survey also notes San Francisco City Landmark No. 228.

    North Beach Historic Context Statement, adopted 2022
  5. Mar 1986

    Parapet reinforcement.

    Complete Permit 8603091 $$$ $8,000
  6. Sep 1989

    Reroofing.

    Expired Permit 8916656 $$$ $8,000
  7. Dec 1989

    Remove the penthouse.

    Complete Permit 8924948 $$$ $2,500
  8. Dec 1989

    Comply with warning of violation.

    Cancelled Permit 8925069 $$$ $8,000
  9. Dec 1989

    R-roofing.

    Withdrawn Permit 8925070 $$$ $1,800
  10. Oct 1998

    Reroofing.

    Expired Permit 9821403 $$$ $9,998
  11. Mar 1999

    U.m.b. seismic retrofit, alter front entryway, replace sidewak.

    Complete Permit 9905245 $$$ $80,000
  12. May 1999

    Foundation concrete installation, secondary post supports.

    Expired Permit 9909249 $$$ $8,000
  13. Feb 2000

    Alteration to accessible entry & room to permit appl-9905245.

    Expired Permit 200002141862 $$$ $1
  14. Aug 2017

    Reroofing.

    Complete Permit 201708296179 $$$ $18,000
  15. 2018

    Listed as San Francisco City Landmark No. 228 — City Lights Bookstore.

    North Beach Historic Context Statement, adopted 2022

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

Not yet documented: the architect and builder and the early tenants. Submit an update