3743B 20th St

3743 20th Street, Upper TIC 2Br, 1Ba | Top floor | 940 sq. ft. (per draftsperson) Historic 1865 construction | Downtown views Exclusive use deck | Shared garden access | In unit laundry Condo conversion eligible | Self managed HOA with low dues — Welcome to the top-floor residence at 3743B 20th Street, an architecturally significant Victorian home ideally situated in the heart of San Francisco’s sought after Liberty Hill Historic District. Built in 1865 for shipwright Edward Doyle, the building showcases rare balloon frame construction using continuous redwood timbers that rise from foundation to roof, an early structural technique prized for its resiliency and longevity. Together with its neighboring home, it stands as one of the oldest surviving structures on the block and remains a remarkable example of mid nineteenth century craftsmanship. The location is extraordinary. Just one half block from Dolores Park at the corner of 20th and Dolores, this street enjoys a picturesque tree canopy, underground utilities that preserve unobstructed sightlines, and a cohesive collection of historic Victorian and Edwardian homes. Walkable access to Valencia Street’s celebrated dining and retail corridor places countless amenities within reach, while the J Church streetcar provides direct connections to Noe Valley, the Castro, and downtown. This top floor home has been freshly renovated. It welcomes you with refinished hardwood floors, updated designer lighting, and a charming curved banister that leads into a dramatic open volume living space. The pitched ceiling has been opened across the full width of the building to create impressive height and scale. A picturesque bay window dining alcove frames sweeping northern views that include downtown San Francisco, the Mission High School bell tower, the East Bay, and even the peak of Mount Diablo on a clear day. Multiple skylights further elevate the space with natural daylight. The updated kitchen offers solid wood cabinetry with new designer hardware, quartz countertops, a contemporary deep stainless steel sink, new faucet and garbage disposal, and a nearly floor to ceiling south facing window. A brand new refrigerator complements a beautifully preserved enamel O'Keefe and Merritt vintage stove, prized for both functionality and period styling. A clever sliding barn door opens to the large south facing primary bedroom, filled with natural light from three expansive windows and a French door that leads to the unit’s exclusive use deck. The layout easily accommodates a king size bed, workspace, and additional furnishings. The barn door provides flexible separation that allows open flow for entertaining toward the outdoors or privacy as needed. A second front bedroom, once used as the home’s fainting room, enjoys a large north facing window with tranquil treetop outlooks and city vistas. The generously sized bath features an oversized jetted tub with shower, in unit laundry, natural light via a skylight, pedestal sink, and a rare vintage storage cabinet with enamel countertop, tin panel detailing, and an interior with glass shelving. The exclusive rear deck provides direct stair access to a large shared south facing garden. At the back of the building, pride of ownership is evident. Updated siding, freshly stained decking, and dual pane windows improve efficiency while honoring historical character. A portion of the building’s solar power allocation serves this upper unit for improved utility performance. Exclusive use storage under the front stairs provides a valuable space for gear and belongings. The south side of this block famously survived the 1906 fire due to the functioning Golden Hydrant at 20th and Church, still honored annually with a neighborhood celebration where the hydrant is repainted gold. Architectural differences between the surviving historic homes here and the reconstructed homes across the street remain visible today. This residence has weathered the city’s major earthquakes of November 1865, April 1906, and October 1989, a testament to both construction quality and long term stewardship. This residence is part of a newly forming TIC group and this two-unit building is eligible for condominium conversion through the city’s condo conversion lottery bypass, offering meaningful long term ownership upside. Living here means stepping into a quintessential San Francisco streetscape with historic lines, mature trees, active neighborhood culture, and the city’s premier park only steps away. Sidewalk cafe seating, artisan bakeries, corner markets, independent retail, and convenient transit options create an effortless urban rhythm. 3743B 20th Street is a rare opportunity to own a meaningful piece of San Francisco’s architectural fabric.