Commission approves accessibility and life‑safety upgrades at Hass Lilienthal House

The Historic Preservation Commission unanimously approved a certificate of appropriateness on Dec. 7 for exterior alterations at the Hass Lilienthal House, a designated San Francisco landmark at 2007 Franklin Street.

Planning staff presented the project as a package of life‑safety, seismic, and accessibility improvements. The scope includes a rear fire escape and ladder, replacement of a non‑historic rear staircase, installation of a platform lift to provide barrier‑free entry, modifications to sidewalks and thresholds for level access, and new metal handrails and safety railings. Staff concluded the work, as conditioned, would conform with Article 10 and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards because work is limited to the rear of the building and does not remove character‑defining features.

San Francisco Heritage described five years of study and a capital campaign to support the work; the organization said it had raised roughly 92% of a $4.3 million goal and plans construction in spring following permit issuance.

The motion to approve included standard conditions: submission of detailed plans showing methods of attachment for the fire escape, design and material specifications and paint samples for new railings and the platform lift, and formal approval from the National Trust for Historic Preservation regarding the facade easement. The motion passed unanimously, 6 to 0.

The Commission recorded the approval as conditioned; staff will handle plan review and verify facade‑easement compliance before permit issuance.