900–916 Grant Avenue

1. 1908

   Built.

2. 1937

   The Li Po Cocktail Lounge, one of the last intact Chinatown nightclubs, dating to 1937, in a building of about 1906. Its neon sign in the shape of a Chinese lantern was added about the 1940s and restored in 2018; it is a fully expressed example of neon in the Asian Eclectic manner, and belongs to the tourist-facing signage installed across Chinatown after 1906.

   Neighborhood Commercial Buildings Historic Context Statement, adopted 2022
3. 1939

   The Li Po cocktail lounge, advertised in a 1939 tourism guide, remains in operation here.

   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
4. Nov 1985

   Permit 8512613 $$$ $1,300

   Comply with dahi report.

5. Mar 1994

   Permit 9404029 $$$ $1,200

   Remodel bath, re-sheetrock of ceiling, wall tile, exterior mold.

6. Jan 2002

   Permit 200201157017 $$$ $80,000

   Umb retrofit.

7. Apr 2003

   Permit 200304031322 $$$ $24,450

   Construct stair ways to basement & mezz. in 912 grant, create a common stairway from 900 grant to b.

8. May 2011

   Permit 201105166080 $$$ $3,000

   Provide vestibule for an existing bar. no change to existing use, no exterior work. me under separate permit.

9. May 2012

   Permit 201205039742 $$$ $300

   Comply nov 201101827, dated march 1, 2011. painted sign - revert sign to the painted american flag.

10. Mar 2013

    Issued Permit 201303051556 $$$ $3,000

    Open wall for service electric and replace drywall, approx 100 linear ft.

11. Nov 2014

    Permit 201411101168 $$$ $35,000

    Comply with complaint#201405191. to legalize interior remodel of commercial space to include new bathroom, removal and replancement of wall and ceiling finishes, new lighting throughout and new storefront doors.

12. Nov 2014

    Issued Permit M537227 $$$ $248

    Add address to block 0194, lot 012 as; 914 grant ave.

13. Jan 2015

    Withdrawn Permit 201501297014 $$$ $35,000

    Tenant improvement in existing retail store, repair & alteration-install new storefront do electrical/mechanical and plumbing works (lighting/wall finishes, flooring etc).

14. Feb 2016

    Issued Permit 201602260590 $$$ $1

    To comply per city planning request, to submit elevation plan (1/5, 3/5) ref. permit 201411101168.

15. May 2017

    Permit 201705055868 $$$ $1,000

    Stair repairs in the basement not to exceed 50%.

16. Jun 2018

    Permit 201806202383 $$$ $90,000

    Change of use from retail to limited restaurant, ti install new kitchen equipment, new finish, new plumbing. add ada bathroom.

17. Jun 2023

    Permit 202306018993 $$$ $500

    Abe compliance per ordinance no 51-16, new ada signage, apply historic building code for entry. abe# 202204130427.

18. Feb 2024

    Permit 202402266578 $$$ $30,000

    Replace existing fire alarm system. install new control unit. nw wireless communicator, 13 smoke detector, 5 pull station, 3 monitoring modules, 4 wall mount horn.37 low frequency sounders.

19. May 2024

    Permit 202405283038 $$$ $1

    To comply with awning amnesty program. legalize e) blade sign.

20. May 2024

    Permit 202405283039 $$$ $1

    To comply with awning amnesty program. legalize 3 awnings: awning a, 72 sq ft, "louie books store". awning b, 54 sq ft, "magical ice cream". awning c, 27 sq ft, "magical ice cream".

21. May 2024

    Permit 202405283044 $$$ $1

    To legalize e) awning under awning amnesty program. to particaly comply with nov 202302209. security gate under separate permit.

22. May 2025

    Permit 202505166640 $$$ $3,000

    Legalize existing basement metal roll up door nov #202302208. planning code sec 145.1 (d) (3)(c) exception for gates per ordinance 071-23.

3 nominal $1 street-space or sidewalk permits are omitted from the timeline. 4 expired or cancelled permits are not shown.