THIS LAVISH oversized limited edition book brings together a collection of favorite photographs and stories from the pages of the New Fillmore. It tells the story of an ever-changing small town in the big city with a rich history and a strong sense of community.
Available exclusively at Browser Books on Fillmore, or order online.
THIS DOCUMENTARY — filmed entirely on Fillmore Street — tells the story of longtime Fillmore resident Kelly Johnson, who used a new California law to end his life on his own terms.
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.
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.
The plan calls for six-story buildings on Fillmore and eight-story buildings on California.
By THOMAS REYNOLDS
Height limits on prime blocks of Fillmore Street may be “upzoned” from 40 feet to 65 feet under plans being reviewed by the city’s Planning Department.
The change would allow buildings up to six stories on Fillmore from California north to Jackson Street.
The proposed changes would also raise the height limit from 40 to 65 feet on Broadway between Fillmore and Laguna. On portions of California and Bush streets, the height limit would be raised from 40 to 85 feet, allowing eight-story buildings.
It’s all part of an upzoning plan being developed by Mayor London Breed’s administration to meet a state mandate that 82,000 new homes be built in the city in the next six years.
Changes in state law intended to spur housing development, plus the state density bonus, could potentially raise those heights even further, if affordable housing is included.
The proposal would apply to many other areas throughout the city, including the commercial stretches of Union, Chestnut, Polk and Clement streets.
Fillmore Street was not originally included in the proposed upzoning maps, but that changed early this year, just after investor Neil Mehta bought the Clay Theater and the storefront next door. After the map was revised in early February, a nonprofit funded by Mehta bought a number of additional buildings on the 2200 block of Fillmore and pursued still others.
City planners said Fillmore had always been part of their plan.
“It was a simple oversight,” said Joshua Switzky, deputy director of citywide planning. “We had always intended (and stated) that we were proposing rezoning in the commercial corridors … For some reason, we missed Upper Fillmore on the early drafts.”
The upzoning proposal, which would make changes throughout the city, is currently working its way through the Planning Department. More information, including an interactive map of the proposal, is available on the Planning Department’s website.
The Planning Department’s upzoning map from Fall 2023 did not include Fillmore.
A toy store and hobby shop is coming to 2185 Fillmore Street.
STREET TALK | CYNTHIA TRAINA
A new toy and hobby store, Just for Fun, is coming to 2185 Fillmore, the storied space most recently occupied by Mudpie, now moved to a smaller space a few doors down. It’s most famously the longtime home of Fillamento, the still-fondly-remembered design emporium that launched the renaissance of Fillmore Street back in the 1980s.
Michelle O’Connor, who acquired the original Just For Fun store on 24th Street in Noe Valley during the pandemic, is on a mission to bring toy stores back to San Francisco. She’s already opened a second location at 1957 Union Street. Fillmore — expected to open in October — will be the third. The local, family-owned retailer will feature a variety of toys, puzzles and games for all ages, plus art supplies, homewares and pop-up events including book signings and in-store concerts. O’Connor, originally from England, says owning a toy store has its challenges for a mother of two: She has to ration the toys she takes home, just to keep things manageable.
Coming soon to the Clay? Two different operators are said to be vying to reopen the Clay Theater. Mystery investor Neil Mehta, who has bought a number of buildings on Fillmore Street this year, and his team are expected to announce the news as early as October. The theater’s protected status raises questions about whether a cafe can be incorporated into the space and whether the number of seats in the theater will be reduced. Stay tuned. … Mehta’s right-hand man Cody Allen, like his boss a neighborhood resident, is rumored to be forthcoming soon with details about their plans for the buildings they’ve acquired this year on Fillmore Street. Let’s hope that includes good news for La Mediterranee, the beloved eatery at 2210 Fillmore, whose owners have gone public with their frustrations over extending their lease.
Also coming to Fillmore: Catbird, the Brooklyn-based jewelry brand, is opening on September 18 at 2124 Fillmore. The brand, which promises “jewelry as poetry,” already has stores in Los Angeles, New York, Boston and Washington, D.C. … Construction has begun to convert the ex-Bank of America space at 2310 Fillmore into a branch of Citibank. … And construction is finally underway on a renovated Palmer’s — potentially reopening as soon as November — on the corner of Fillmore and Clay. The “Peet’s to Palmer’s” crowd is ready to celebrate.
Hail and farewell: Pascal Rigo’s Apizza, at 2043 Fillmore, is gone and won’t be coming back to Fillmore, where it started. Instead, it’s opening a new location on Divisadero Street, along with a Loving Cup frozen yogurt shop. Rigo also owns Loving Cup, as well as his original La Boulangerie on Pine Street. … Longtime local favorite Ten-Ichi, the Japanese restaurant and sushi bar at 2235 Fillmore, will hold a closing party on September 21. The final day at the current location is September 30. The owners are raising money to fund a move elsewhere.
The long-stopped clock could again be a beacon at Fillmore and California.
Hola Rosa Mexicana: Neighborhood favorite TacoBar, on the corner of Fillmore and California, has reopened after a freshening-up inside and out and a stylish new gray and Mexican pink paint job. … Now when can we expect some attention to the rest of that wonderful old building — especially the long-ignored clock on this key corner?
Upcoming local events: Join Friends of Lafayette Park for a free screening of Mrs. Doubtfire in Lafayette Park on September 15 at 7 p.m. Bring a blanket. … Celebrate Godzilla’s 70th anniversary in Japantown with a three-day festival from September 13 to 15, featuring movie screenings, Godzilla cosplay and more. More details at Bay Area Film Events. … Farther down the street, Sunday Streets comes to the neighborhood on September 22 from 12 to 5 p.m. on Golden Gate Avenue between Laguna and Webster. Streets will be closed in the area. … And a Scent Stroll on Fillmore — now being called Fragrance Row, for its numerous scent shops — is said to be in the works.
Cynthia Traina is a longtime Fillmore resident and an agent with Vantage Realty San Francisco. Send items for Street Talk to CT@cynthiatraina.com.
Billionaire’s Row has witnessed yet another record-breaking sale. The property at 2799 Broadway, which had been on and off the market since October 2019, with an initial asking price of $39 million, finally closed in August for just over $29 million. The new owners acquired the 11,600-square-foot home for $2,505 per square foot — a significant discount compared to the neighboring property at 2840 Broadway, which sold last month for an astonishing $4,107 per square foot.
For those still looking to buy on Outer Broadway, opportunities remain. The property at 2990 Broadway, which once made national headlines for its $38 million price tag, is still on the market. And 2898 Broadway, the location of this year’s Designer Showcase, has seen a $3 million price cut and is now listed at $29 million. It has been on the market for over a year.
Also on the market for $29 million: the penthouse at 2006 Washington, on Lafayette Park.
In contrast, the smallest single-family home sold in August was a charming Victorian at 1807 Scott. The 1,057-square-foot, one-bedroom, one-bath gem, located near the S.F. Tennis Club, has no garage, but featured a generous walk-out deck. It was snapped up after just five days on the market for $1.2 million.
Cynthia Traina is an agent with Vantage Realty San Francisco. Contact her at CT@cynthiatraina.com.
Photographs of WatchCenter in Cow Hollow by Sharon Beals
By NIKKI COLLISTER
A good watch can last a lifetime, and beyond.
That’s the philosophy behind WatchCenter, the boutique watch and repair shop located at 2030 Union Street, near Fillmore. Business partners Filippo Meduri and Benjamin Chapman should know, since they’ve been working with watches for most of their lives.
“If you have a $2,000 watch, you want to take care of it,” says Meduri. “You don’t just buy another one — that’d be a waste.” That sentiment extends beyond luxury brands like Patek Philippe or Rolex. Most well-crafted timepieces can last decades if properly maintained.
A preference for longevity — and a family history of watchmaking — has made this Meduri’s life’s work.
AT THE TOP of Fillmore Street, the renovation of a penthouse is nearly complete. An art treasure is coming home. VIDEO by Jonathan Pontell for The New Fillmore.
The Fillmore fixture has been sold to a former employee and his partners.
AFTER 60 YEARS of ownership by the Politz family, D&M Wine and Liquor at 2200 Fillmore has been sold to former manager Kyle Nadeau and his partners.
“It’s been a long time coming,” says Mike Politz, who has worked in the store, with a few interruptions, since he had to stand on a milk crate to reach the register. His father, Joe Politz, started the dynasty. For the last 28 years, Joe’s son Mike and his wife Karen have owned and operated D&M. “I’ve put my whole life into it. We’ve done our thing. We’re passing the torch on to another family.”
Nadeau joined the D&M crew in 2006 and worked his way up to store manager. But he had an itch to do more. In 2017 he converted the nearby London Market at Divisadero and Sacramento into Maison Corbeaux, part of a venture with a private downtown club.
“I got in my head I wanted to do something else,” Nadeau said of leaving D&M to eventually open another shop four blocks away.
But he kept in touch, and the friendship resumed. He has specialized more in wine and beer, and D&M has maintained its focus as a premier champagne house, with a renowned selection of single malt Scotch and other spirits.
Both stores will remain much the same, with all of the current staff continuing. Kyle Nadeau will return to Fillmore Street and D&M. New partner Dave Osborne, who has a long history in the world of spirits, will lead the Divisadero shop, which will now be known again as the London Market. Avid whiskey collector Jonathan Powers is the third partner.
“It’s something I’m really excited about,” says Nadeau, now older and wiser. “I know the neighborhood. I am so thankful to the people in the neighborhood.”
Says Mike Politz, whose family has been synonymous with D&M: “He’s coming back home. It’s one big full circle.”
SVRN’s sleek new shop brings high-end men’s and gender-fluid fashions to Fillmore.
STREET TALK | CYNTHIA TRAINA
At long last, SVRN (pronounced “Sovereign”) has opened its doors at 1928 Fillmore Street. This sleek high-end men’s and gender-fluid clothing boutique boasts a curated selection of top brands like Jacquemus, Rick Owens and Comme des Garçons.
It’s the second outpost from Chicago-based, Korean-American founder David Kim. The former Prana space was gutted and redesigned by Seoul “spatial design” firm WGNB with a minimalist interior. While the Chicago store features stainless steel walls, the Fillmore shop adds color in the shade of oxidized copper that mimics the Statue of Liberty.
Stepping inside, shoppers will be greeted by a small but highly curated selection of fashion-forward clothing, unique furniture and objects from the likes of Korean designer Subin Mae, plus a fragrance collection. Don’t miss the unique changing room, featuring a preserved plant bouquet hanging from the ceiling.
Unveiling the magical: At 1967 Sutter, the dark glass front blocks views of the interior and ominously provides no more information than “by appointment only.” It’s the new home of Mythrium, a private tattoo studio and art collective. Drawing inspiration from the fantastical, the studio evokes a Harry Potter-esque atmosphere with mystical touches. Established by three talented immigrant women artists, Mythrium is decorated with Victorian furniture, Egyptian totems and stained-glass accents set against forest green walls. Walk-ins aren’t accepted, but curious neighbors can peek into this artistic haven on its website.
Father Michael Hurley confronts himself at the St. Dominic’s celebration.
Celebrating 150 years: St. Dominic’s Church on August 5 marked 150 years since the Dominican parish was founded in the neighborhood. The magnificent Gothic stone church was rebuilt after the 1906 earthquake, the flying buttresses added after the 1989 quake. It’s currently undergoing roofing and further restoration. St. Dominic’s was named the most beautiful church in the U.S. upon its completion in 1928 and remains a San Francisco landmark.
Cook like a chef: While the beloved Out the Door restaurant at 2232 Bush Street may be gone, the building holds a unique opportunity upstairs in the former family home of chef Charles Phan, whose empire once included the vaunted Slanted Door at the Ferry Building. His home kitchen is equipped with restaurant-quality appliances including a grill, gas burners and an industrial dishwasher that runs a full cycle in fewer than five minutes. The industrial chic loft home, designed by starchitect Olle Lundberg, has 3 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, a private roof deck and parking. The main floor remains a restaurant space, now home to Mattina restaurant. For $5.5 million, you can own both.
One door down, the commercial building 2224 Bush Street is also for sale. The classic Victorian was home to Unity Church for decades, and more recently home to Liberty Cannabis.
A star is reborn: Chefs David and Serena Fisher’s 7 Adams, at 1963 Sutter, has gained a following and glowing reviews since opening last fall. Now it’s going to get a lot harder to get a reservation. Their “signature magic,” was just anointed a Michelin star. The Michelin Guide says the duo “expertly blends Californian simplicity with refined technique. By emphasizing thoughtful flavor combinations, the chefs showcase the finest seasonal ingredients.”
Premium take-out sushi is now available at Aji Kiji.
New dining options: The neighborhood’s culinary scene continues to evolve with the arrival of two additions near Japantown.
Aji Kiji: Located in the former Avery spot at 1552 Fillmore, Aji Kiji offers premium take-out sushi from a warm and woody minimalist space. Chef and co-owner Jinwoong Lim, who also owns Bansang next door, oversees the menu. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., or until they sell out.
Sobakatsu: This eight-seat eatery is receiving rave reviews for its housemade soba noodles crafted from organic, stone-ground Japanese buckwheat. It’s in the thin slice of space at 1700 Laguna and open daily from noon to 7 p.m.
Nailed it: Fillmore has more polish these days. In July the House of Nails opened at 1908 Fillmore, and in early August Look at Me Salon opened at 2424 California. Its new green home is the second location for this L.A.-based company, which specializes in Russian manicures, pedicures and eyelash extensions.
Mark your calendar: Don’t miss the upcoming events in the neighborhood:
Sept. 7: Fillmore merchants Art Walk, with art, music along the street.
Sept. 13-15: Godzilla Festival, celebrating 70 years of the legendary kaiju in Japantown.
Cynthia Traina is a longtime Fillmore resident and an agent with Vantage Realty San Francisco. Send items for Street Talk to CT@cynthiatraina.com.
