Historic Preservation Commission initiates landmark designation for Marcus Books on Fillmore Street

The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously on Sept. 18, 2013, to initiate Article 10 landmark designation for 1712–1716 Fillmore Street, the building long associated with Marcus Books and the former Jimbo’s Bop City.

Mary Brown, a Department of Preservation planner, told commissioners the department’s draft designation report finds the building significant for its long association with Julian and Ray Richardson, Marcus Books’ tenure at the site, and the earlier tenure of Jimbo’s Bop City. "The department believes that the subject building meets the established eligibility requirements for its association with significant events, persons, and businesses," Brown said during her presentation.

The vote followed an extended presentation by Stacy Farr, the architectural historian who authored the draft nomination. Farr recounted archival research showing the building’s origins before 1893, its relocation to Fillmore, and its role as an after‑hours jazz venue where performers such as Miles Davis and Billie Holiday played. "Marcus Books…has operated as a bookstore, a community gathering space, an education space, a performance space, and a space of organization, civic dialogue, and political action," Farr said.

Public comment was lengthy and strongly supportive. Supervisor Breed urged commissioners not to delay, saying Marcus Books is "a part of our community" and "its historical significance is protected." Co‑owner Greg Johnson said the bookstore and its caretakers view the building as community property and expressed a desire to remain at the location. Representatives of San Francisco Heritage, academics, musicians, long‑time patrons, and community organizations described Marcus Books as a critical locus for black intellectualism, activism and cultural life.

The Suisse family — the current property owners represented at the hearing — asked for postponement in a written statement read by Joseph Sweis, citing litigation and the owners’ temporary absence and requesting a 4–6 month delay so they could participate. Sweis said the owners were not opposed to preserving the building’s value but asked that decisions not be made while they lacked access to the property.

Commission discussion acknowledged the owners’ concerns but emphasized the building’s historic associations and asked staff to strengthen the report’s treatment of cross‑community ties. Commissioner Matsuda requested additional material on connections between Japanese American and African American histories in the Fillmore. The motion to initiate designation included direction that staff return with added analysis of African American and Japanese American ties and the site’s social and cultural heritage context.

The commission’s motion to initiate designation passed by roll call (Hyland, Matsuda, Pearlman, Wolfram, Haas — all "Yes"). The initiation means a formal designation report will be prepared and return to the HPC for a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors at a future hearing.

Next steps: staff will revise the draft nomination per the commission’s direction and schedule the item for a future public hearing that would consider forwarding a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.