37.7844, −122.4174 A locator map appears here once a Mapbox token is configured.
Know This Place

District 5 · Block 0321, Lot 020 · ZIP 94109

Essex Hotel

684 Ellis Street

  • 84-unit apartment building
  • 7 stories
  • 33,863 ft2
  • 4,313.14 ft2 lot area
  • 84 bathrooms
  • Zoned RC-4
  • Historic resource
  • Sold May 27, 2005
37.7844, −122.4174 Street View appears here once a Google Maps embed key is configured.
  1. 1912

    Built as the Hotel Essex, mid-priced hotel with 128 rooms and 72 baths, to the design of the architects Righetti and Headman. Seven storeys over a basement, reinforced concrete structure, two-part vertical composition with attic, French Renaissance ornamentation.

    National Register of Historic Places nomination, National Park Service
  2. 1913

    Built.

  3. March 1966

    The Redevelopment Agency photographed the property, then the Hotel Essex.

    Redevelopment Agency Records (SFH 371), San Francisco Public Library
  4. October 1971

    The Essex, a residential hotel, had 104 units, of which 5 were vacant.

    URS Research Company / Arthur D. Little, Inc., Yerba Buena Center Public Facilities and Private Development: Environmental Impact Report (draft), prepared for the City and County of San Francisco, 1973.
  5. Nov 1989
    Permit 8923101 $$$ $2,500

    Ewo.

  6. Apr 2006
    Permit 200604108584 $$$ $6,000,000

    Rehab. incl. selective demolition, new accessible units, new accessible entry, voluntary seismic upgrade, new basement offices, mechanical, electrical & plumbing modifications, partial sidewalk replacement. sprinklers & fire alarm.

  7. Feb 2007
    Issued Permit 200702285147 $$$ $25,000

    Misc patch & repair of apartment interior. prep for painting for 15 units. patch repair only.

  8. Apr 2007
    Permit 200704279861 $$$ $60,000

    Revise existing sprinkler system due to new partitions, add sprinklers in attic. existing sprinkler system was updated in 2002.

  9. Mar 2008
    Permit 200803066501 $$$ $460

    As built mechanival plans.minor revisions to mechanical. refer to permit # 2006.04.10.8584.

  10. Jul 2009
    Permit 200907283569 $$$ $1

    To obtain final inspection for work approved under permit application 200705312688, all work is completed.

  11. Jul 2009
    Permit 200907283572 $$$ $1

    To obtain final inspection for work approved under permit application 200706063197, all work is completed.

  12. Jul 2009
    Permit 200907283573 $$$ $1

    To obtain final inspection for work approved under permit application 200702285147, all work is completed.

  13. Jul 2009
    Permit 200907283574 $$$ $1

    To obtain final inspection for work approved under permit application 200707278077, all work is completed.

  14. Jul 2009
    Permit 200907283575 $$$ $1

    To obtain final inspection for work approved under permit application 200704279861, all work is completed.

  15. Dec 2009
    Permit 200912143164 $$$ $3,500

    Remove existing awning and reinstall smaller awning 2'x6" i n width 15' in length.

  16. Jan 2010
    Permit 201001134672 $$$ $10,000

    Hotel essex. to comply with sffd notice of violation of august 20, 2009. remove existing fire escape ladder. replace with up to date counter balance ladder.

  17. between 2014 and 2016

    Judi Iranyi photographed the property, still the Hotel Essex.

    Judi Iranyi Photographs of the Tenderloin (SFP 179), San Francisco Public Library
  18. Mar 2014
    Permit 201403312018 $$$ $10,000

    Remodel commercial space in kind, install new electrical outlets for hair arting station, new high efficiency water heater, replace sink for hand washing, replace 2 new hair washing station, electrical to code. no wall movement or adding wall.

  19. Sep 2017
    Permit 201709209109 $$$ $2,465

    Basement- add control modules to activate door holders. add one fire alarm communicator. voluntary basement only.

  20. May 2018
    Permit 201805159167 $$$ $1

    To obtain final inspection for work approved under pa 2002-0528-7553. all work is approved.

  21. Feb 2021
    Issued Permit 202102033892 $$$ $20,000

    Replace 15 windows common area to new dual pane vinyl windows like for like. 6 windows are st facing will match exisitng design wood hung with og lugs.

  22. Aug 2024
    Filed Permit 202408057982 $$$ $35,000

    To comply with nov 202423672 date 06/10/2024. to comply with planning 2024-003685enf. legalize security scissor gates. upgrade ada bathroom. install new (3) compartments sinks. legalize awning.

  23. Jun 2026
    Filed Permit 202606153213 $$$ $12,000

    Provide non structural interior partitons, comply with ada toilet.

3 nominal $1 street-space or sidewalk permits are omitted from the timeline. 6 expired or cancelled permits are not shown. The assessor dates the building to 1913; the city's historic context statement for this area gives 1912.

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