San Francisco is known for its pastel-hued Queen Anne Victorians, which began popping up between the mid-1800s and early 1900s, as the city grew during the California Gold Rush, turning the area into a rainbow of elegant architecture.
Though San Francisco has retained its reputation as a hub of design excellence, many of the original Queen Anne Victorians that the city became so well known for perished in 1906, when a 7.9-magnitude earthquake and a subsequent fire destroyed 28,000 buildings.
One of the few surviving examples of high Queen Anne architecture in the city is McCormick House, a 3,475-square-foot property in the Castro neighborhood that made its first appearance on the market in more than five decades earlier this month, listed for $2.29 million.
Within just a few days, the historic five-bedroom, two-bathroom property, which is topped by a distinctive gold dome, snagged a buyer.
Currently configured as two apartments, the home was originally designed by architecture firm Kidd & Anderson and built in 1902 for insurance salesman John McCormick.
Both flats have spacious living areas that feature fireplaces, curved windows, and stained-glass windows.Open Homes PhotographyThe beauty of the natural lightOpen Homes PhotographyThere are several formal areas in the home, including this dining room.Open Homes Photography
According to listing agent David Lasker, of Vanguard Properties/Luxury Portfolio, it’s not surprising that the property snagged a buyer so quickly, given its incredible design.
“What makes this house unique is that it lends one of the best surviving examples of high Queen Anne architecture with this gold dome that crowns the building,” says Lasker, who is co-listing the home with Joseph Grebel. “It’s very much in its original state. It’s unaltered.”
The home also has its original Victorian speaking tube, an intercom system at the time.
“You rarely see that today,” says Lasker.
In 1971, the seller—“a dedicated conservationist and civic advocate,” says Lasker—snapped it up for just $30,000, then improved it over the years.
“She approached this house like it simply wasn’t her residence,” says Lasker. She considered it a community treasure. As a result of her death in 2025, a relative is handling the sale.
Tucked into the sprawling four stories are formal rooms that, even today, are ideal for entertaining. The top flat features three bedrooms and one bath, while the lower flat has two bedrooms and one bath.
The light fixture is original.Open Homes PhotographyThe kitchens in each flat are spacious and light-filled.Open Homes PhotographyThis stairwell in the home features a wide landing.Open Homes PhotographyThere are two baths in the home, one in each flat.Open Homes Photography
“Structurally, the home is great,” says Lasker. “It has the most extraordinary bones. But it does need some updating, such as electrical and plumbing, and the kitchen.”
In 1999, the property was designated a city landmark by the San Francisco Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board. The buyer will need to maintain and adhere to its preservation status. Key features that have already been preserved are curved bays, grouped classical columns, ornate shingle work, and leaded-glass windows.
The original floor plan, woodwork, paneling, mantels, and other period detailing remain intact.
The Castro neighborhood, with its walkability and public transit access, including a Muni underground stop across the street, is another enticement.
“It’s a very well-known and popular neighborhood,” says Lasker. “It’s close to the Castro Theatre, which just had a $40 million remodel. You can see the theater from the house.”
Whether they are already living in the Bay Area or relocate specifically for this offering, Lasker thinks the next steward will be fanatic about historical preservation.
“There’s definitely a segment of people who have a passion for fixing up homes,” he adds. “Through our open houses, I’ve been meeting all kinds of people who own homes throughout California and have fixed them up.”
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