North Beach's Verdi Building cleared for partial demolition
San Francisco's Board of Appeals cleared the way for partial demolition at the fire damaged Verdi Building at 659 Union Street. The property faces Washington Square Park and has drawn years of safety, housing and preservation disputes.
The Verdi Building, also known as the Coit Liquors building, was damaged by fires in 2013 and 2018 and has remained a problem property in North Beach. Parts of the facade have been supported by braces, leading to sidewalk closures and a bus stop relocation because of collapse concerns.
The Board of Appeals rejected a neighborhood resident's challenge, allowing owner Jeff Jurow and partners to proceed with partial demolition. Earlier plans called for 23 rental units and a rooftop restaurant, but Jurow has said rising construction costs made those plans unworkable, and the current redevelopment plan remains unclear.