37.7960, −122.4037 A locator map appears here once a Mapbox token is configured.

4–36 Columbus Avenue

Chinatown · San Francisco, CA 94111

  • Built 1911
  • Office building
  • 4 stories
  • Zoned C2
  • District 3
  • Historic status: historic resource
  • City landmark (Article 10)
37.7960, −122.4037 Street View appears here once a Google Maps embed key is configured.
25,395 sq ftBuilding area
6,660 sq ftLot area
77Rooms · 8 baths
  1. 1916

    Built to the design of Italo Zanolini, whose North Beach work the city's survey documents.

    North Beach Historic Context Statement, adopted 2022
  2. Jan 1985

    Parapet reinforcement & roof patching.

    Complete Permit 8500989 $$$ $36,000
  3. Aug 1988

    Seismic bracing on a volunteer basis.

    Expired Permit 8810846 $$$ $150,000
  4. Oct 1988

    Revise handicap requirement, redecoration of lobby.

    Complete Permit 8815443 $$$ $35,000
  5. Jun 1990

    Re-instate expired permit app #8810846 (seismic bracing).

    Complete Permit 9012777 $$$ $150,000
  6. Oct 1990

    Tenant improvements per plans.

    Expired Permit 9021221 $$$ $45,000
  7. Oct 1990

    Install handicapp bath rooms on 4th floor.

    Expired Permit 9020983 $$$ $35,000
  8. Dec 1990

    Install handicap toilets on 2nd and 3rd floor per plans.

    Complete Permit 9025755 $$$ $35,000
  9. Aug 1991

    Tenant improvement per plans attached.

    Complete Permit 9115665 $$$ $74,100
  10. Oct 1991

    Remove 2 last iron pipe column at the 1st floor.

    Complete Permit 9118374 $$$ $60,000
  11. Oct 1991

    Cti-1 ground fl.

    Complete Permit 9119154 $$$ $215,000
  12. Oct 1991

    Cti-1 ground fl.

    Complete Permit 9119155 $$$ $105,000
  13. Nov 1991

    Ti, handicap bathrooms completed.

    Expired Permit 9121120 $$$ $45,000
  14. Feb 1993

    Tenant improv.per plans/handicp bathrms completed under p/ap.

    Complete Permit 9303012 $$$ $80,000
  15. Sep 1999

    T/i install wall doors system fixture at 2/2.5 & 3rd & 4/f.

    Complete Permit 9919829 $$$ $200,000
  16. Dec 1999

    Mechanical & electrical upgrade archit t/i under ap #9919829.

    Complete Permit 9926793 $$$ $30,000
  17. Apr 2000

    Street space use.

    Expired Permit M12397 $$$ $30,000
  18. Dec 2001

    Fire alarm system update.

    Expired Permit 200112145331 $$$ $30,000
  19. Jun 2003

    Tenant improvement: on first, second, thirdn and fourth floors. work includes interior soft demolition.new.

    Complete Permit 200306237626 $$$ $40,000
  20. Jul 2003

    Tenant improvement on bsmnt level.

    Complete Permit 200307078895 $$$ $451,035
  21. Jul 2003

    Structural repair of sidewalk at basement level see appln #200307078895 for accessibility complying.

    Complete Permit 200307189791 $$$ $48,000
  22. Aug 2003

    Retrofit fire alarm panel hard wire and addressable devises basement will be demolition new pipe/wire and.

    Complete Permit 200308152208 $$$ $26,000
  23. Oct 2003

    Structural repair of sidewalk on basement; orig appn. 200307189791, accessibility upgrades done.

    Complete Permit 200310278659 $$$ $48,000
  24. Dec 2003

    Mechanical plan only for basement and roof.work related to 200307078895.req per main appl#200307078895.

    Issued Permit 200312122223 $$$ $90,100
  25. Jun 2025

    Reroofing (no hot work). tear off resheet and reroofing within 18, 400 sq ft of new carlisle 80 mil white tpo single ply membrane flat roof.

    Issued Permit 202506037828 $$$ $330,727

DBI holds 55 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 55. 3 of them are nominal $1 street-space or sidewalk permits.

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