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How to live a long life

Ron Kay at his 100th birthday celebration.

By FRAN MORELAND JOHNS & JONAH RASKIN

If there’s a secret to a good long life, local centenarians Ron Kay and Arthur Roth may have found it. They are, at least, both living it.

Roth, who celebrated his 100th birthday on November 16, lives on Post Street at The Carlisle retirement home. Kay, who turned 100 last year, lives across the street at The Sequoias.

“Few individuals do better isolated.”

Ron Kay’s early years were, despite some happy memories, hardly the good life. Born in 1923 in Heidelberg, Germany, into a middle-class Jewish family, he came into a world with antisemitic stirrings that would explode into the beginning of the Third Reich a decade later. Education for Jewish children ended at age 14. “It was a way to get free labor,” he says. He went to work as an unpaid apprentice to a local electrician. At 16 he would be of age to be sent to a concentration camp, so his parents managed to get him to England. His English foster family introduced him as Heinz, an abbreviation of his given name, Heinrich. Kay looked through the phone book, decided he liked the sound of “Ron,” and renamed himself. 

In time, he made his way to an uncle in San Francisco. “He never had kids,” Kay says, “so it didn’t occur to him to send me to school.” Instead, young Ron went to work in a sheet metal shop, a job that soon cost him the tips of four fingers. 

It was his fluency in German and English that finally lifted Ron Kay permanently out of manual labor and into a distinguished career in computers. While still a teenager, he found a job as a translator at UC Berkeley. Drafted into the U.S. Army, he was tested for a number of schools and chose the one that lasted the longest, hoping to delay the inevitable and learn as much as he could. Army Air Force school took him back to England. By the end of the war, Kay was translating German rocket scientists for U.S. intelligence.

Ron Kay, at 100, alongside a cutout of his 20-something self.

Back in Berkeley, and now an American citizen, he knew he wanted to be an engineer and was excited to discover he could study for a degree that might also include classes in such diverse areas as Shakespeare and philosophy. Despite never having set foot in a high school, he graduated from UC Berkeley as a physicist at the dawn of the computer age. In a 25-year career with IBM he went from hardware to software and to recognition in his field. 

Kay met his future wife Renate at a wedding in Oakland. They shared a love of books, music and culture, and raised three children. After living in several places in the Bay Area, they retired to a two-bedroom apartment at The Sequoias in 2013. After she died a few years later, he moved up to a studio apartment on the 24th floor with sweeping views from the Golden Gate Bridge to the East Bay hills.

He says common sense and strong family bonds are the key to successful aging. “Achievement of academic goals can be pretty empty stuff,” Kay says. Nevertheless, he’s still learning, and recently delivered a talk to his fellow Sequoians on artificial intelligence. 

“Peace of mind,” he says, “comes from the acceptance of the limits of our understanding. For many people, religion is the preferred alternative.”

Arthur Roth at his 100th birthday party.

“Sociability and exercise — those are the essentials.”

Arthur Roth celebrated his 100th birthday on November 16 across the street from Kay in The Carlisle. Looking back on his long life, Roth first recalls being a soldier in the U.S. Army during World War II. For his bravery in combat he was awarded a Bronze Star. What he remembers most, though, is not his own bravery but the heroism of others ready to sacrifice their own lives to save their fellow soldiers, including him. 

“I remember the exhilaration of victory and the warm welcome for the brave soldiers disgorged by the army,” he says. “My memory isn’t too bad for a guy who’s 100.”  

Born in Manhattan and reared in New Jersey, Roth came west after the war and has lived in California ever since. He achieved renown as the head of the advertising department at Levi Strauss when the whole world wanted Levi’s jeans. “They were associated with the extraordinary myth of the American West,” Roth says. “The world couldn’t get enough Levi’s.” He had the good fortune, he says, to “open the entire market for jeans east of the Mississippi River.” 

Arthur Roth in his days as head of advertising for Levi Strauss.

Roth and his wife Lois moved to The Carlisle a decade ago. Their son Adam and his family often visit. Roth attributes his long life to the love of — and from — family and friends. That and exercise. “Sociability and exercise,” he says. “Those are the two essentials.”

Ron Kay agrees about the value of friends and family. And he gives a nod to the senior living communities where both men are spending their final years. “Few individuals,” he says, “do better isolated than in a supportive community.”

Sales shift as year ends

A recent sale in Presidio Terrace (left) highlights the demand in this private enclave.

REAL ESTATE | CYNTHIA TRAINA

The local market shifted slightly in November, down from 12 homes closed in October to seven homes closed in November. There was a small uptick in condos closed, up from 18 in October to 22 in November.

Single family homes: Seven properties closed at a price range from $1,026 to $1,953 per square foot. Some highlights:

  • The most expensive home sold was 2480 Broadway, a grand residence that sold for $9.5 million — down from the initial listing price of $11.3 million after 247 days on the market.
  • A fixer-upper at 16 Presidio Terrace sold in just two weeks for $8.5 million, highlighting the demand in this private enclave.
  • The top price per square foot was the smallest home that sold: an 1,080 square foot Edwardian home at 18 Orben Place sold for $1,953 per square foot.

Condominiums: The condo market attracts both luxury buyers and those seeking affordability. Of the 24 units that sold during the month:

  • The priciest sale was a full-floor residence at 2207 Pacific with an elevator, bay views and 3,385 square feet of living space. After 135 days on the market, it sold for $4.85 million, or $1,433 per square foot.
  • The least expensive condo, sold for $750,000, was a 2-bedroom unit on Franklin Street with parking and a 24-hour doorman.
  • At 2740 Pierce, the two upper floors of a duplex sold for $4.2 million in just eight days for $1,620 per square foot — more than many single family homes.

Coming up: December began with many properties sitting for more than a month, perhaps creating some negotiating room before the end of the year. There are 29 single family homes for sale and 63 condos available in the greater neighborhood. Most agents are holding new inventory until after the first of the year.

Cynthia Traina is a residential realtor with Vantage Realty. Contact her at CT@cynthiatraina.com.

Starbucks on Fillmore closing

“I’m going to really miss our clients on Fillmore,” said shift manager Annabelle Cimino.

THE STARBUCKS at 2222 Fillmore Street is set to close its doors on December 1, leaving loyal customers and locals shocked and disappointed. 

Annabelle Cimino, the store’s shift manager, has worked at the Fillmore location since 2017. Known for her personal touch, Cimino greets regulars by name and even hand-decorates their takeaway bags.  

The building, one of several on the block now owned by venture capitalist investor Neil Mehta’s nonprofit, has faced its share of challenges. Last year, both the air conditioning system and the sewage line were replaced. But the introduction of Starbucks’ single-cup brewing machines, alongside the new air conditioning system, reportedly exceeded the building’s electrical capacity. 

“We believe the building couldn’t support the electrical load,” Cimino said. “I’m going to really miss our clients on Fillmore Street.”

Staff members have been breaking the news to customers, many of whom frequent the shop daily. The location is particularly popular with students from nearby schools, including Convent, University High School, Hamlin and Stuart Hall, who flock to the shop for sweet drinks, cookies and K-Pops.  

“This is my home,” said University High freshman Sofia Linadev. “I don’t know what I’m going to do.”  

All of the employees have been offered positions at other Starbucks locations, Cimino said. Starbucks continues to have shops in the neighborhood inside the Mollie Stone’s on California Street and at Fillmore and O’Farrell.

— Story and photograph by Cynthia Traina

Nordstrom coming to Fillmore?

Nordstrom Local has leased 1919 Fillmore Street.

STREET TALK | CYNTHIA TRAINA

As campaign season wraps up and the winter rains begin, Fillmore continues to see significant changes.

Nordstrom Local: Nordstrom wants to bring its first Nordstrom Local in San Francisco to 1919 Fillmore, the former Minted location. The shop would offer online shoppers pickup, returns and alteration services. Nordstrom will present its plans at a neighborhood meeting on November 14.

New restaurants: The former Pizza Inferno space at Fillmore and Sutter has a new tenant: a Japanese/Korean concept from Kevin Chen, who already owns Nono at 1730 Fillmore and Bubu at 2417 California. The new venue promises to be significantly larger than his two existing establishments. … Wise Sons has opened inside the Jewish Community Center at 2500 California from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. daily.

More jewelry: Rocksbox is set to open its first retail location at 2208 Fillmore, previously occupied by Little Words Project. The new retailer joins existing Fillmore jewelry businesses Eric Trabert Goldsmiths, Mureta & Co. Antique Jewelry, Catbird, Gorjana, Fiat Lux and Hi Ho Silver.

Real estate: The twin buildings at 2035-2047 Fillmore, formerly home to AquaItalia shoes, Apizza and Mio — now relocated a few doors south — have been sold. The asking price was $8 million. Real estate agent Pamela Mendelsohn would not disclose the new owner, but says it’s not venture capitalist Neil Mehta, whose nonprofit has bought a number of other properties on Fillmore this year.

Cynthia Traina is a longtime Fillmore resident and an agent with Vantage Realty San Francisco. Send items for Street Talk to CT@cynthiatraina.com.

Cash was king in October

The priciest neighborhood sale was 2855 Pacific, which closed at $15.25 million.

REAL ESTATE | CYNTHIA TRAINA

Cash buyers dominated local home sales in October. Of the 12 single-family home sales that closed in the neighborhood — in Pacific Heights, Lower Pacific Heights, Cow Hollow and Presidio Heights — 10 were cash purchases.

Three notable fixer-upper properties changed hands: 2245 Union, zoned commercial but convertible to residential, sold for $2.6 million; 2752 Buchanan sold for $3.1 million; and 2760 Vallejo commanded $9.5 million. The month’s priciest sale was 2855 Pacific, which closed at $15.25 million, slightly below the asking price.

November begins with 30 active single-family homes and 73 active condominiums on the market. Prices range from an entry-level condo at 2040 Franklin #1006 for $499,000 to the penthouse across from Lafayette Park at 2006 Washington #10 at $29 million. The least expensive single-family home is a 2-bedroom, 1.5-bath property at 18 Orben listed just under $1.8 million, while the highest-priced property on the market remains 2990 Broadway at $32 million, on the market for 123 days. Many ultra-luxury homes continue to await qualified buyers.

October brought the narrowest gap between condo and single-family home sales in recent months. Among the 18 condos sold, the top sale was a five-bedroom unit in a duplex at 2205 Pacific Avenue, closing at $7.28 million. The second-highest sale was a three-bedroom unit at The Pacific (2121 Webster), which sold for $3.5 million after 181 days on market. The month also saw three duplex sales. Currently pending sales for October include 11 condominiums and 6 single-family homes.

Cynthia Traina is an agent with Vantage Realty San Francisco. Contact her at CT@cynthiatraina.com.

Taco leads the pet parade

Royalito Taquito with human friends at Harry’s on Fillmore.

SORRY TO REPORT that the Fillmore Halloween Pet Costume Stroll never happened. I hung around for about an hour and the only evidence of a pet walk was a Chihuahua with a taco outfit. That was it. I finally went into George, the pet shop, and was told there was supposed to be a pet walk, but no one showed up.

There was not much evidence of Halloween on Fillmore Street. Perhaps part of these crazy times.

— Jonathan Pontell

Videography by Jonathan Pontell

Fillmore is losing an icon

Ines Wilson has become a fashion advisor and media star at Invision.

FILLMORE STREET is losing an icon this week.

After a decade, Ines Wilson is leaving Invision, the optometry office and eyewear emporium at 1907 Fillmore. She has become a valued fashion advisor, helping Invision’s clients choose stylish glasses that flatter their faces. October 31 is her final day.

Wilson’s outsize personality and star quality have made her a standout not only on the street, but also on Instagram, where she has been featured in dozens of videos.

The videos resulted from a collaboration between Wilson and Luis Quiroz, Invision’s social media director. They recently shot a final video that serves as something of an exit interview for a familiar face on Fillmore.

VIDEO: Ines says: Farewell

Flashback: 1949

HEADING DOWN the Fillmore hill, between Broadway and Vallejo Street, in 1949.

Only 3 homes sold last month

The third floor at 2500 Steiner is now on the market for $9.95 million.

REAL ESTATE | CYNTHIA TRAINA

What a difference a month makes. Only three single-family homes sold in September in nearby neighborhoods — Pacific Heights, Lower Pacific Heights, Presidio Heights and Cow Hollow — compared to eight sold in August. 

Reflecting the enduring appeal of living near shops and restaurants, all three homes were located within a block of Fillmore Street. These included a charming Victorian at 1935 Webster (just over $3.3 million); 2338 California ($3.8 million), which had been on and off the market since 2023 and saw nearly a $1 million price cut; and a fully gutted and remodeled Edwardian at 2542 Fillmore ($6.5 million), which is technically two units.

Now on the market: Currently there are 29 active single-family homes on the market, with 17 of them listed within the last 30 days. If you’re shopping for a home priced at $10 million or more, you’re in luck — there are 13 options. In the $5 to $10 million range, there are 10 options.

Under $3 million, only three single-family homes are listed, as of October 1. The least expensive, at $2.39 million, is a gutted and modernized Victorian at 1863 Pine near Gough. A Queen Anne just off Fillmore at 2245 Union, currently zoned commercial, is listed just under $2.7 million. Just off prime Fillmore is 16 Wilmot, an 1800s Victorian priced at $2.995 million.

Condos, co-ops, townhouses and TICs: In September, 22 units were sold in the area. The least expensive was a one-bedroom, one-bath unit at 2415 Van Ness, which sold for $400,000. The most expensive was 1958 Vallejo #7, which sold for $4.8 million.

Currently there are 85 active units on the market. The least expensive is a studio at 2415 Van Ness listed for $459,000, while the most expensive is a full-floor penthouse co-op at 2006 Washington #10, now at $29 million. It was listed last year for $35 million. Located on Lafayette Park, this unit carries a hefty monthly fee of $11,954.

Closer to Fillmore, in the tower of full-floor co-ops at the northeast corner of Alta Plaza Park, is 2500 Steiner #3, listed at $9.95 million. The unit was purchased four years ago for $7 million. Despite being on a lower floor, its position at the crest of the hill offers sweeping views of the park, the bay and Golden Gate Bridge. The property comes with a monthly fee of $4,104.

Cynthia Traina is an agent with Vantage Realty San Francisco. Contact her at CT@cynthiatraina.com.

‘I am the mysterious investor’

Investor Neil Mehta at the Clay Theater on Fillmore Street.

By NEIL MEHTA
The San Francisco Standard

I am, according to certain misleading reports, the mysterious evil investor buying property up and down Fillmore Street. These reports haven’t been very clear on the details of my sinister plan, but it sure does sound nefarious.

I want to set the record straight.

Read more: “Why I’m funding a $100 million project to revive Fillmore Street