Know This Place
37.7842, −122.4292 A locator map appears here once a Mapbox token is configured.

1530 Buchanan Street

Western Addition · San Francisco, CA 94115

  • Built 1935
  • Church
  • 2 stories
  • Zoned RM-3
  • District 5
  • Historic status: historic resource
  • Landmark designation work program (Article 10)
37.7842, −122.4292 Street View appears here once a Google Maps embed key is configured.
14,910 sq ftLot area
17Rooms · 6 baths
  1. 1936

    Purpose-built premises for the Japanese YMCA, dedicated in 1936: $25,000 raised within Japantown and about $15,000 given by supporters in Japan paid for meeting rooms, a small chapel and a gymnasium.

    Japantown Historic Context Statement, May 2009
  2. 1942

    One of the places in the city where San Francisco's Japanese community was ordered to report for processing in 1942 before wartime removal. The building was let to the USO during the war to serve African American troops.

    Japantown Historic Context Statement, May 2009
  3. 1947

    Returned to the Japanese American community after the war and renamed the Buchanan YMCA; in 1947 it and the Japantown YWCA began a joint inter-racial youth programme for African American and Japanese American children.

    Japantown Historic Context Statement, May 2009
  4. July 1948

    More than 300 residents met here in July 1948 to hear the case against the Redevelopment Agency's plans for the neighborhood.

    Japantown Historic Context Statement, May 2009
  5. 1958

    The Redevelopment Agency established its Western Addition Project Office in the building in 1958.

    Japantown Historic Context Statement, May 2009
  6. Mar 1983

    Re-finish wood floor, patch & paint hallway.

    Withdrawn Permit 8301689 $$$ $30,000
  7. Apr 1983

    Additions alterations or repairs.

    Filing Permit 8303456 $$$ $600
  8. Oct 1984

    Replacement of glass at gymnasium windows & painting of.

    Complete Permit 8411634 $$$ $36,000
  9. Feb 1985

    Additions alterations or repairs.

    Expired Permit 8501297 $$$ $85,000
  10. Jun 1986

    Remove exist. wall; shore exist roof construction.

    Complete Permit 8606922 $$$ $90,000
  11. Sep 1987

    Alter bathroom to 2 bathrms.

    Expired Permit 8712646 $$$ $20,000
  12. Oct 1987

    Horizontal addition.

    Complete Permit 8715661 $$$ $650,000
  13. Jul 1988

    Demolition, remove shed roof, new sitework, planting, re #8715661.

    Expired Permit 8810304 $$$ $40,000
  14. Jan 1994

    Handicap access direction signs, access drinking fountain.

    Disapproved Permit 9400508 $$$ $3,000
  15. Mar 1995

    Minor modifications to bathrms/path of travel for accessibil.

    Expired Permit 9504083 $$$ $50,000
  16. Jan 1997

    Renew ap#9504083.

    Expired Permit 9701420 $$$ $1
  17. Jan 1997

    Renew prev ap#8712646 for final inspection.

    Expired Permit 9701422 $$$ $1
  18. Jan 1997

    Renew permit application 8501297.

    Expired Permit 9701421 $$$ $1
  19. Jul 1997

    Renew appln #9701420/9701421 & 9701422.

    Complete Permit 9714072 $$$ $1
  20. May 1998

    One stop- renovation of basement, entrance ramp, upg/heating.

    Complete Permit 9808474 $$$ $100,000
  21. Jul 1998

    One-stop, upgrade upper floor, demolition/remvoe w.h., boiler, rest @bst.

    Complete Permit 9813334 $$$ $60,000
  22. Oct 1998

    Modify existing sprinkler system.

    Complete Permit 9821334 $$$ $600
  23. Jan 1999

    Fire alarm system installation.

    Complete Permit 9901281 $$$ $22,288
  24. Nov 2018

    Tear off existing 41 squares of shingles and replace with new same color shingles; on flat sections of roof recoat with coating on all 34 squares of flat roof.

    Complete Permit 201811145860 $$$ $40,000
  25. Dec 2022

    T.i. of existing co-working space at main & upper floors, nw interior partition walls & doors to create nw office spaces, includes replaement of fixtures & accessories at restroom due to ada upgrades.

    Complete Permit 202212208808 $$$ $225,000
  26. May 2023

    Revision to permit application: 202212208808 replace all windows, doors, fixtures, and finishes damaged in fire to match exotius.

    Complete Permit 202305258621 $$$ $200,000
  27. Apr 2025

    Reroofing. no hot work. r-23 insulation provided throughout. product: sure weld tpo white. sri 99.

    Complete Permit 202504164555 $$$ $72,104

The city's Japantown context statement dates the dedication of the building to 1936; the assessor's roll and Planning's historic resource survey both record 1935. Not yet documented: the architect and builder, the early tenants and the date of the last recorded sale. Submit an update