Historic 1880s Victorian residence moved in course of that San Francisco hasn’t seen in 47 years
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) – A relic from San Francisco’s past moved to a new location on Sunday and you can see it made quite a sight.
A 141 year old Victorian house was picked up and moved six blocks from Franklin Street to Fulton Street.
“It’s phenomenal to see this huge seven-bedroom house move into,” said Wanda Ramos, who lives near the home’s original location.
Gary Carter lives near the new location and was repeating the same thoughts. “That’s pretty big, pretty amazing,” said Carter.
Sebastian Luke was one of many who watched the entire procession and only said, “It’s a beautiful building.”
And this beautiful historic building quickly took San Francisco and the internet by storm. Every nook and cranny was captured by hundreds of San Franciscans, many of whom compared it to the Pixar animated film Up, in which a house was moved by balloons.
There’s nothing to see here, just a historic San Francisco Victorian house coming down the street! Today it moves 6 blocks for more than $ 400,000. The old location near Turk and Franklin will soon accommodate more than 60 apartments. @ abc7newsbayarea
Courtesy: Lehoa Nguyen pic.twitter.com/3ztOAtaVRU
– JR Stone (@jrstonelive) February 21, 2021
This house, known as Englander House, was towed six blocks. Six blocks in about six hours.
“There were a few mishaps along the way. Trees getting in the way, stop signs, lights and signs and what not,” said Lana Costantini of the San Francisco Historical Society
“They met a light pole right there on the corner of Golden Gate and Franklin, and also some trees,” said Eddie Ramos, who was watching the movement closely.
But don’t worry, there were loggers, roads were closed and the police were there to show the way, even if it didn’t always look so perfect and even into the night.
“I was scared when they tried to turn into Golden Gate Street. I was surprised, I thought there was no way, but they made it,” said Saron Eyob, who lives nearby.
Historical Society says this is the first time since 1974 that a Victorian house like this has been relocated in San Francisco.
Huge dollys carry it at about a mile an hour and it cost $ 400,000. More than a dozen city agencies approved the relocation.
The Englander house is converted into single-family houses. A former morgue next door and the old property will also be converted into residential buildings. As a result of the move, between 50 and 60 new units will ultimately be available and of course the historic house will be restored and saved.
RELATED: Historic San Francisco Victorian Home Ready To Be Converted To Apartments Blocks Away
“I was up on the 11th floor at the time, looking down and I just couldn’t believe what was happening. I thought this was one for the history books,” said Eddie Ramos.
Moving was not an easy task. Power lines, parking meters and street lights were removed for the move. and Muni had to reroute some bus routes
The six bedroom, three bathroom house still has the original wood and 19th century “anchor bolts”.
The moving worker says houses like this are worth preserving instead of tearing them down.
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