Map: A Castle in Every State in the U.S.A.
The United States of America is not typically thought of as a land of castles, and with good reason—the uniting of the American states coincided, not coincidentally, with the beginning of the end of the era in which kings and queens ruled over everything, holing up in huge fortified houses so that the peasants and/or invading barbarians couldn't kill them.
But in a way, that's too bad, because the U.S.A. is a land of excess, and there's nothing more excessive than a castle. And there are somecastles in this country—maybe more than you'd expect—which range from (mostly) vanity projects, to mini golf courses, to even a few places that originally served some military purpose. In fact, we found a castle in every state in the U.S.A.
Noe Valley is One of the Best Neighborhoods for Parking in SF
Parking availability image courtesy of TruliaEvery year, San Francisco gets more crowded and city planners seem to discourage car ownership more and more. But there are still some spots in the city where parking isn't such a hassle, and real estate website Trulia partnered with street parking company Parknav to find the best neighborhoods to live in if you own a car. In San Francisco, they pointed to Noe Valley as a neighborhood with decent street parking and plenty of listings with private parking, while things were tougher in places like Sea Cliff, Potrero Hill, and the Mission.
New Development Rules Could be On Their Way to the Mission
The controversial development planned for the 16th & Mission BART station would fall under the new controls. Rendering via Skidmore, Owings & MerrillThe Mission Moratorium may have been voted down at the ballot box last fall, but its failure does not mean the end of scrutiny on development in the neighborhood. The San Francisco Planning Commission will vote tomorrow on adopting interim controls that could require every new Mission housing development to be evaluated on its impacts on neighborhood character, affordability, and blue-collar jobs.
After 10 Years, Mexican Museum Condos Set to Break Ground
Rendering via Handel ArchitectsThe last time we heard news about the long-delayed and super-luxury Mexican Museum Tower, it was planning to break ground in summer of 2015, but the site still sits dormant today. Now, the San Francisco Business Times reports that the $500 million building will begin construction in March. Building permits have officially been filed for the four-story museum and up to 190 condos by developer Millennium Partners.
35 New Condos Ready to Rise at Hayes Valley's One Franklin
Renderings courtesy of One Franklin and Transparent HouseThe parking lot at the corner of Page and Franklin streets in Hayes Valley has been approved for new housing since 2010, and now the eight-story building is finally getting ready to rise. A new website for the development, named One Franklin, launched this morning, and postings advertising the building have gone up around the construction site. When One Franklin is finished, it will hold 35 new condos that will range from studios to two-bedrooms.
2016 Pritzker Prize Goes to Alejandro Aravena, Chilean Architect Behind Innovative Affordable Housing
Chilean architect Alejandro Aravena, center, has won the 2016 Pritzker Prize. His UC Innovation Center at the San JoaquÃn Campus, Universidad Católica de Chile Santiago (left) and Constitución Cultural Center (right) from 2014, also in Chile, represent recent built work by Aravena's firm, ELEMENTAL. Photos by Nina Vidic (left), via LaFarge Holcim Foundation (center), and by Felipe Diaz (right). All images are copyright and courtesy of ELEMENTAL unless otherwise noted.
48-year old Chilean architect Alejandro Aravena has been awarded the 2016 Pritzker Prize. He's the first laureate from Chile, the third from South America, and the fourth from Latin America. He's also a telegenic star of the international architecture scene, best-known for a housing complex built at a cost of $7,500 per unit and a proponent of "the rigorous use of common sense" to create sustainable, affordable and resilient cities.
Rents At Potrero's Big New Apartment Complex Aren't Too Bad
Renderings via Equity ResidentialWe've been following Potrero 1010, the 453-unit complex at the corner of Seventh and 16th streets, since it was just a big, empty expanse of cracked concrete. Now, the Equity Residential-developed building is nearly complete and has started leasing, and the rents—while not exactly cheap—aren't heart-stopping, either, at least for San Francisco. Studios, which come in at 441 square feet, can be had from $2,750, well below the $3,315 ask at Hayes Valley's new Alchemy by Alta.
Farmhouse Fixer That Raised Its Price Puts It Right Back Down
Last fall, a big fixer farmhouse at the edge NoPa took an unusual pricing tactic: it actually raised its price after a few weeks on the market from $1.295 million to $1.8 million. At the time, the listing agent explained that the owner was looking for above-asking on the original price. He'd received a few offers, but they didn't meet his expectations, so he upped the ask. The house has been bouncing on and off the market ever since, and yesterday it officially lowered its price right back down to $1.275 million
Rent in Boston, Atlanta, Denver: What $2,200/Month Can Get You Right Now
Welcome to Curbed Comparisons, a column that explores what one can rent for a set dollar amount in various cities across the U.S. Is one man's studio another man's townhouse? Let's find out! Today's price: $2,200/month.
↑ Boston, MA (1 bed, 1 bath)—With Fenway Park practically in its backyard (it's a 6-minute walk away), this sunny, centrally-located 712-square-foot apartment is easy to love. A cozy eat-in kitchen, bow window, high ceilings, polished hardwood floors, and renovated black and white tiled bath are some of the key features.
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Opening Delayed: Weather Ruins Dolores Park's Big Splash
Dolores Park's grand opening is, for now, all wet; photos via Patricia Chang
Last week, we sent reporters on a press tour the city staged in anticipation of the grand reopening of Dolores Park's south side this Thursday. Today, Hoodline is reporting that the event is cancelled due to the threat of weather.
David Ireland's Mission District Home Opens as a Museum
David Ireland's home was his greatest artwork. It opens to the public on Friday; photos via Patricia Chang
San Francisco artist David Ireland spent decades undermining himself, literally. A lot of Ireland's found-object sculptures consisted of materials dug out of the basement of his home and studio at 500 Capp St., including much of the brick and mortar holding up the 1886 house. When the artist moved into an assisted living facility in 2008, the house had morphed into one large, precarious artwork. It went on the market and, had it been sold to most people, it would have certainly faced an extreme remodel or demolition. That's when an art collector stepped in and saved the house by purchasing it. Today, after the addition of a visitor center, it's set to become a museum and art studio.
One-of-a-Kind William Wurster Home In Contract in Just a Week
It was only a few days ago that we first lusted after the unique, sprawling five-bedroom St. Francis home designed by architect William Wurster at 17 San Andreas Way. Wurster's properties have a history of success when they hit the market, but this latest one has gone into contract fast enough to give us whiplash. Listing agent Barbara Callan told us that the buyers have accepted an offer with a two-week close.
Noe Valley's First Flip of 2016 is Four Times Its Old Size
The first Noe Valley flip of the year has hit the market, and, not surprisingly, it's a big one. The compact Victorian last sold for $1.5 million back in 2014 as a two-bedroom with a retro pink kitchen and just one bathroom. And while it is technically still the same home, nearly everything about it has changed. The biggest upgrade is the quadrupling of the square footage, although the price—which jumped to $3.95 million—has gone up nearly as much. 
Bayview Resident Kristin Trahan Talks About Community
The People's Guide is Curbed SF's tour of neighborhoods, led by our most loyal readers, favorite bloggers, and other luminaries of our choosing. Have a piece to say? We'll be happy to hand over the megaphone. This time around, we welcome Kristin Trahan, Bayview resident and co-founder of the district's All Good Pizza. The district has just won the Curbed Cup and been named our Neighborhood of the Year.
Heron's Head Park is Kristin Trahan's go-to for experiencing the great outdoors; photo via NEMA
How long have you lived in the Bayview?
I've live in the Bayview for almost 15 years.
Heron's Head Park is Kristin Trahan's go-to for experiencing the great outdoors; photo via NEMA
How long have you lived in the Bayview?
I've live in the Bayview for almost 15 years.
Why did you move there? Do you rent or own?
We own. Initially, we [she lives with her kids and husband Matt Trahan, the other All Good Pizza founder] moved to the Bayview because we were unable to afford housing anywhere else in the city. Even though the Bayview was a stretch for us at the time, I knew relatively little about it other than it was a neighborhood full of beautiful single family homes and nice, wide streets.
We own. Initially, we [she lives with her kids and husband Matt Trahan, the other All Good Pizza founder] moved to the Bayview because we were unable to afford housing anywhere else in the city. Even though the Bayview was a stretch for us at the time, I knew relatively little about it other than it was a neighborhood full of beautiful single family homes and nice, wide streets.
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- EditorMary Jo Bowling
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