San Francisco, CA
Personal home of San Francisco’s storybook architect hits the market
The Outer Sunset is sometimes left out when people wax poetic about the unique architecture distinguishing San Francisco neighborhoods – but to do so is to omit the storybook whimsy of Oliver Rousseau. This architect is credited with transforming the conformity of the Outer Sunset’s pastel rectangles, building nearly 100 charming Hansel-and Gretel-style cottages influenced by elements of Tudor, Spanish and French styles. And at 1598 36th Avenue, we’re seeing not only Rousseau’s famous, playful aesthetic: We’re seeing his own home. Rousseau’s personal castle-like residence is for sale now, asking $2.798 million.
Riffing on Spanish Colonial Revival, Rousseau crafted this 3,530-square-foot, four-bedroom, four-bathroom abode in 1932. The home’s appealing facade – embellished by numerous wrought iron balconies – opens to a dramatic tiled entry and swirling staircase. The living room features vaulted ceilings inset with rough-hewn wood beams, rising to a peak over a brick hearth. Never one to miss a chance at adding beauty, Rousseau installed stained glass windows in the walls that flank the curving stairway. On the upper level, the primary suite offers views of the Pacific Ocean, which Rousseau himself must have enjoyed while living here from 1933 to 1937, according to the San Francisco Planning Department.
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Though many period details are intact, the home has also been modernized in its near century of life. The kitchen and bathrooms are thoroughly updated, and the home’s lower level has been converted into a rec room/ lounge, with room for large couches, a wet bar and game tables arranged around another fireplace. This room opens to a private courtyard.
The iconic charm any Rousseau home is still special today; but in the early 1930s, Rousseau’s storybook style was unheard of in the Outer Sunset. As History and Psychology in the Outer Sunset reported in a 2019 blog post, the majority of homes here were built in a uniform style, meant to provide inexpensive housing for working-class families: “When they were built, they were meant to allow families with modest means a way to have their own homes,” the blog reads.
According to SF Planning, brothers Arthur and Oliver Rousseau also wanted to build homes for moderate incomes, and they did so by rejecting that prevailing conformity. Inspired by the stunning backdrop of the sea, the Rousseaus built 93 houses in the Outer Sunset between 1932 and 1933: “With great attention to detail and an emphasis on variety, they created a cohesive enclave that stands out as a unique and rare confection of Storybook Period Revival whose whimsy and charm continue to delight today.”
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Perhaps unsurprisingly, the style that made Rousseau famous inspired other architects in this neighborhood. In a 2004 profile on Oliver Rousseau, the San Francisco Chronicle wrote that not all homes in the Outer Sunset that look like or bear the label of “Rousseau-style” are in fact Rousseau’s work. In an interview, Gary Goss, “San Francisco’s leading architectural sleuth,” said that “a house that looks like a Rousseau could easily be a Donell Jaekle, a Charles Clausen, a Doelger … The style was copied, mimicked, duplicated by others.”
Rousseau homes, however, are generally considered superior to the facsimiles — “better built and proportioned, roomier, classier and more ornate than the competition,” according to the Chronicle article.
And, certainly, one of the best examples of Rousseau’s artistry has to be 1598 36th Avenue, the home he built for himself.
This is the first time the property has been on the market since 2009, when it sold for $1.035 million.
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San Francisco, CA
San Francisco remembers traffic victims 10 years into 'Vision Zero' commitment
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — It was a powerful symbol in San Francisco Sunday of the dangerous toll of our roads.
A vigil honored the hundreds of people killed on San Francisco streets as the city pushes to make them safer. This comes as San Francisco marks 10 years of “Vision Zero” efforts meant to stop traffic deaths.
Three hundred and seventeen pairs of white-painted “ghost shoes” lined up on the steps of San Francisco City Hall Sunday.
Each was with a name, every one of them representing someone killed on city streets–on bikes and scooters, in cars and on foot.
It was the total of victims since 2014, when the city committed to Vision Zero and efforts to reduce and eventually eliminate traffic deaths by making roads safer.
MORE: SF eliminating 14,000 parking spaces as CA’s new Daylighting Law takes effect: Here’s what it means
“We never want to contribute more ghost shoes to this memorial. It’s the hardest part to see this number grow,” said Jodie Medeiros, executive director of Walk San Francisco. Medeiros noted noted that while the overall number of victims is down so far this year, the number of pedestrians killed remains the same.
“The same number of pedestrians since the policy was passed in 2014. And Walk San Francisco being the pedestrian advocacy organization trying to make San Francisco the most pedestrian-friendly city, this does hit us the hardest, and this is why we do push on our city to make sure that our streets are safe for people walk,” Medeiros said.
Among the safety measures they’ve pushed for are speed cameras.
“We worked really hard. Walks in Francisco and families receive streets and getting the speed camera pilot to come to San Francisco,” Medeiros said.
MORE: SF divided over ‘Slow Streets’ program: Here’s what residents are saying
Those efforts mean a lot to families like Jenny Yu’s. Her mom was hit by a speeding driver in 2011.
“A speeding driver turning left struck her with an SUV and threw her body to the other side of the road, where she needed to have surgery to remove her brain cap, because it was too much pressure, but they saved her,” Yu said, explaining her mom hasn’t been the same since. “She now needs 24/7 cae. She’s physically here, but she can’t be by herself.”
And, that’s why advocates are calling for another commitment from the city.
“San Francisco learned a lot in 10 years. So, how do we build on those learnings to make a really smart policy for the next decade?” Medeiros said.
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San Francisco, CA
Photos: San Francisco 49ers collapse in fourth quarter and lose to Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks defeated the San Francisco 49ers 20-17 with a 13-yard rush into the end zone by quarterback Geno Smith in the game’s final minutes.
It was the 49ers’ third defeat this season via a fourth-quarter collapse, the others also coming against NFC West opponents — at the Los Angeles Rams in Week 3, and at home against the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 6.
The Seahawks (5-5) snapped a six-game losing streak to the 49ers thanks in massive part to Smith’s heroics on the final drive. Smith completed 7-of-8 passes for 54 yards and had a 16-yard scramble two snaps before his touchdown. Smith overcame a sack by Leonard Floyd, all while Nick Bosa remained on the sideline with a new hip/oblique injury that forced him out in the third quarter and could shelve him longer.
Next up is a visit Sunday to the Green Bay Packers, who improved to 7-3 after winning in Chicago 20-19 on a blocked field goal as time expired.
San Francisco, CA
Four Starting Pitchers San Francisco Giants Should Pursue in Free Agency
The San Francisco Giants are a team many people will keep a close eye on this offseason. With a new front office in place, led by president of baseball operations Buster Posey, there is potential for intrigue.
How will the new regime differ from the previous one, which was managed by Farhan Zaidi? Will San Francisco be able to lure free agents successfully after striking out so many times recently?
While hitters are tough to convince, the Giants should be able to find success bringing in pitching. Oracle Park is a big draw as it is considered a pitcher’s paradise.
With Blake Snell hitting free agency again, the Giants may have a void in their rotation. Here are four pitchers San Francisco should target to replace Snell.
The talented right-hander landed on the injured list and missed about two months of last season. But, his talent showed in the postseason after he knocked off the rust.
Buehler allowed six runs in the second inning of his outing against the San Diego Padres in the NLDS. In his 14 other innings of postseason action, he allowed no runs and struck out 13.
He could be one of the most valuable pitchers in free agency this offseason. He carries immense upside as a top-of-the-rotation producer when everything is clicking.
Last season was a renaissance for the veteran left-hander with the New York Mets. He changed his arm slot and the results were terrific, as he realized the immense potential he carried as a youngster. He went 12-6 with a 3.74 ERA as the Mets reached the NLCS.
Now back on the free agent market, he has proven he has ace-level stuff. With Logan Webb atop the Giants’ rotation, Manaea can slide into the No. 2 role in his second go-round with the franchise.
If San Francisco wants to replace Snell with another southpaw, the veteran is an excellent option.
Adding a pitcher of Williams’ caliber would make a lot of sense because of the versatility he brings, even as San Francisco has a group of young pitchers hoping to break through and continue their development in the rotation next season.
Replicating the success he had in 2024 feels unlikely (6-1, 2.03 ERA, 59 strikeouts), but Williams can provide middle-of-the-rotation production. If the young pitchers flourish he can move down the pecking order.
HIs experience coming out of the bullpen would allow him to be used in a hybrid role alongside Jordan Hicks. Versatility, maneuverability and affordability would all be attractive to the Giants.
If San Francisco wants to make a big splash, the Giants could sign Fried, one of the market’s top left-handers, to replace Snell, should he depart.
The talented Atlanta Braves star brings a lot to the table. Durability has been an issue, but production has not. More importantly, he has extensive postseason experience that can help a team attempting to get back into contention.
A two-time All-Star with incredibly consistent production in the regular season, Fried would create a strong one-two punch with Webb atop the team’s rotation.
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