Commission recommends Article 11 designation for Old Saint Mary’s Rectory at 660 California Street

The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission on Nov. 20 voted unanimously to adopt a resolution recommending an Article 11 change of designation for Old Saint Mary’s Rectory at 660 California Street, moving the property from an unrated status to Category 3 contributory.

Mary Brown of the Planning Department said the change was initiated by the property owner, the San Francisco Archdiocese, and that the change‑of‑designation report had been prepared by Page & Turnbull. "The department recommends that the HPC adopt a resolution recommending to the Board of Supervisors a change of designation to a category 3 contributory building," Brown said.

Christina Dicus, an architectural historian with Page & Turnbull, summarized the consultant’s findings: the four‑story rectory (completed in 1966, designed by Chuck Bassett of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill) demonstrates architectural significance for its contextual modern design, retains integrity to its period of significance, and meets Article 11 criteria including new factual information uncovered in the report. Dicus noted the building’s materials, massing and design relationships with the adjacent Old Saint Mary’s Church and the nearby Hartford Insurance Building as reasons it satisfies the designation criteria.

Edward Zaharski of Fortress Property Group, speaking in support, described how prior rezoning enabled creation and sale of transferable development rights (TDRs) to fund preservation and seismic work, and said designation would help facilitate further TDR transactions to finance maintenance. Commissioners expressed support and moved to adopt the draft resolution; the commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to the Board of Supervisors for further hearings.