If walls could talk, this OG Victorian would spill tales of TV fame and its storied past — now it’s up for sale at $6.5 million. San Francisco’s classic homes are no strangers to attention, but this particular Victorian at 1709 Broderick Street holds a special place in our hearts as the iconic façade of the Tanner family’s home in “Full House.”
Built in 1900, this 3,700-square-foot home got a modern makeover five years ago; Now it boasts four bedrooms, four bathrooms and a two-car garage, all while preserving its historic charm with 11-foot ceilings, original molding. There’s a gym, too, and two fireplaces.
At The Bold Italic, we’ve ventured inside one of these postcard-perfect homes, and what we found was an idyllic slice of San Francisco: The top floor, once the maid’s quarters, had been turned into a tiny museum. Notable items include a ticket from the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge, a photo of the family’s first house in the Mission, and a photo of people gathered in Alamo Square park as the city burned after the 1906 earthquake:
Today, the house in question last changed hands in November 2020 for $5.4 million following a couple of price cuts. Many rumors circulated of a $37 million listing in 2022 — but they were just rumors.
It’s not “Full House” on the inside. While show creator Jeff Franklin dreamt of converting it into a nostalgic shrine, local uproar nixed those plans after he bought it in 2016. But the house retains a touch of TV magic with the cast’s handprints and signatures immortalized in the garden. Apparently you can grab those in for an undisclosed extra price.
Living in these homes is a constant dance with fame. Residents experience a daily parade of tourists and camera clicks. George knows this all too well; He’s the only person who’s been inside all six Painted Ladies and has a treasure trove of stories, from mini Tracy Chapman concerts to neighborhood gossip.
“You know, there are about a billion nicer houses in this city. A thousand times more gorgeous,” he told us in 2012. “But there’s a curiosity about these houses, and it’s funny because it didn’t always used to be that way.”
As for who will be the next owner of this piece of TV history and SF heritage? We can only speculate.
Saul Sugarman is editor in chief of The Bold Italic.
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