Committee forwards landmark designation for former Paper Doll bar at 524 Union

The Land Use & Transportation Committee on Monday unanimously forwarded an ordinance recommending landmark designation for the former Paper Doll bar at 524 Union Street in North Beach.

Shannon Ferguson of the Planning Department told the committee the Historic Preservation Commission conducted a site visit and unanimously recommended designation, citing the building’s role as an early lesbian bar and its association with LGBTQ organizing. "The Paper Doll is significant as one of the earliest lesbian bars," Ferguson said, summarizing the HPC report and noting interior and exterior character-defining features.

Property owners and preservation advocates spoke in support. Barack Smooja, representing the ownership at 524 Union Street, said the family has owned the property since the late 1970s and that the owners researched and wrote the landmark nomination. "We knew the LGBT connections and that it was important to people," he said, urging the city to honor the site's history. Architectural historian Shane Watson, co-author of the citywide LGBTQ historic context statement, called the Paper Doll "extraordinarily significant" and one of roughly 20 properties identified for potential landmark status.

Chair Aaron Peskin recused himself from the discussion and vote after saying he owns property within 500 feet of the site and was advised by counsel that he must do so. The committee recorded the recusal, made a motion to recuse, and—without objection—sent the ordinance to the full Board of Supervisors with a positive recommendation.

The committee’s action means the ordinance will appear on the full board agenda; the transcript does not record a final board vote date or conditions for designation beyond the ordinance language sent forward.