Bay Area Updates and City Developments —

The Phoenix Hotel: San Francisco’s Iconic Rock ’n’ Roll Hideaway Prepares to Close

For nearly four decades, The Phoenix Hotel in San Francisco’s Tenderloin has been one of the city’s most unexpected cultural landmarks — a retrofitted motor lodge turned rock-and-roll crash pad, creative hub, and celebrity magnet. Now, with its lease ending in January, the beloved hotel is preparing to close its doors.

A Hotel Built for Artists, Musicians & Misfits —

The Phoenix was created in the late ’80s by Chip Conley, inspired by advice from legendary promoter Bill Graham to build a hotel where touring bands could unwind after shows. Conley bought a rundown motel, added an art studio, poolside parties, massages, and a no-frills-but-stylish vibe — something totally different from San Francisco’s traditional luxury hotels.

It worked. The Phoenix quickly became a home base for performers, filmmakers, writers, and creatives passing through the city.

Stories That Became San Francisco Lore —

Part of the Phoenix’s charm has always been the stories — the unexpected, chaotic, and oddly heartfelt encounters that made the hotel famous:

• Keanu Reeves cannonballed into the pool and soaked a table of IRS employees.
• Kurt Cobain kept Phoenix Hotel stationery in his wallet; a note written on it was found after his death — cementing the hotel’s place in rock history.
• Sinéad O’Connor stayed during her first tour, with Conley babysitting her toddler.
• Gavin Newsom was dunked in the pool and left an unforgettable hair-product slick.
• Courtney Love skinny-dipped and needed a towel delivered poolside.
• Wedding parties, actors, artists, and musicians all passed through, bringing their own chapter to the hotel’s mythology.

This mix is exactly what made the Phoenix feel alive — a collision of rock, film, art, and counterculture.

A Pool Saved by the State Legislature —

The hotel’s iconic pool — the center of the courtyard — became a protected landmark after state legislators intervened to save its custom mural, originally painted in violation of state pool laws. Only in San Francisco would a hotel pool end up with its own political backstory.

What Comes Next —

The property’s new owner has chosen not to renew the lease, prompting the Phoenix to close early next year. While the future of the building and its historic pool is uncertain, fans hope the spirit of the Phoenix — creative, rebellious, and uniquely San Francisco — will find a way to rise again.

San Francisco Home Sells Nearly $1 Million Over Asking in Noe Valley

A recent Noe Valley home sale is making headlines after closing for nearly $1 million over the asking price. The property, which drew multiple offers, ultimately sold for more than $900,000 above list, highlighting renewed buyer activity in one of San Francisco’s most desirable neighborhoods. The 1,200 sqft. two bed, one bath property was listed at about 1.3 million dollars, and ended up selling for 2.2 million!

San Francisco Market Momentum

As reported by KTVU’s Tom Vacar, the seller was surprised by the final price — a reflection of how buyer competition has surged amid recent interest rate reductions. One lender described the lower rates as a “game changer,” driving more qualified buyers back into the market.

Why Buyers Love Noe Valley

Located between Twin Peaks and the Mission District, Noe Valley offers Victorian charm, walkable streets, and a family-friendly feel. The median home price is around $2.2 million and trending upward as buyers prioritize both location and livability.

Takeaway

This record sale underscores a key trend in San Francisco real estate — lower rates, tight inventory, and neighborhood appeal are fueling competitive offers across the city. Both buyers and sellers can benefit from staying informed and working with experienced local professionals to navigate the market. View the coverage of the story here!

Fisherman’s Wharf Makeover Aims to Revive San Francisco Waterfront

San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf is set for a major transformation. The Port of San Francisco has launched the Fisherman’s Wharf Forward plan to restore one of the city’s most famous destinations, which has faced challenges since the pandemic with closed restaurants and fewer visitors.

The first step: turning the former Alioto’s restaurant site on Taylor Street into a public plaza, reconnecting visitors to the lagoon and creating a new community space. Longer-term plans include reinforcing the seawall, upgrading fishing berths, and improving public spaces to protect the waterfront from flooding and earthquakes.

Tourism is on the rise again, with hotel bookings and convention reservations climbing sharply, and city leaders see revitalizing Fisherman’s Wharf as key to San Francisco’s broader recovery. With new leases, pop-up activations, and improvements already underway at Pier 45 and Pier 39, the neighborhood is regaining momentum.

The Fisherman’s Wharf Forward project ensures this historic waterfront remains a vibrant hub for residents, fishers, and visitors for years to come.

 Read more about the proposed project here!

Bay Area’s Iconic ‘Basic Instinct’ Oceanfront Estate Returns to Market for $91M

A legendary piece of California coastline has returned to the market with one of the highest price tags in the Bay Area. The Carmel Highlands estate, made famous in the 1992 thriller Basic Instinct and later featured in HBO’s Big Little Lies, is now listed at $91.35 million. Known as Seacliff, the property sits on more than five acres at the gateway to Big Sur and has recently undergone an $11 million renovation that expanded its footprint and modernized its amenities.

If sold, the estate would more than double the record for Monterey County real estate, surpassing a Pebble Beach home that closed at $45 million in 2024. The cinematic property is also just down the road from Brad Pitt’s $40 million Carmel mansion, placing it firmly among some of California’s most star-studded enclaves.

The sprawling compound now includes six residences across five parcels. At its center is the 12,000-square-foot main lodge, which features five fireplaces, a commercial-grade kitchen with a 1,250-bottle wine cellar, and dramatic living spaces with sweeping ocean views. Four additional cottages provide private accommodations for guests, while a newly built one-bedroom home adds to the estate’s flexibility. Beyond its existing structures, more than an acre of land remains available for further development, offering buyers the chance to expand with additional residences or guest units.

Luxury amenities include an outdoor pool, steam room, dry sauna, and a four-car garage, all designed to maximize both comfort and entertainment potential. The estate’s careful landscaping, new water well, and extensive improvements reflect years of investment by its current owners, software entrepreneur Gary Vickers and his wife Kerry. Vickers, who built his fortune in the tech sector, has described Seacliff as his personal retreat and “crowning achievement,” blending natural beauty with architectural vision.

Read More Here!

AI Hiring Boom Drives SF Rents Back to Pre-Pandemic Highs

San Francisco rents have surged to their highest point since 2020, fueled by a wave of AI hiring and a long-standing housing shortage. Tech leaders like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Scale AI are luring top talent with big salaries, driving demand in neighborhoods like SoMa, Mission Bay, and Hayes Valley.

According to Zumper, one-bedroom rents jumped 13.3% year-over-year to $3,415, while two-bedrooms climbed 16.3% to $4,780 — both near pre-pandemic peaks and well above national averages. With home prices still out of reach for many, even high earners are competing for rentals. City leaders are eyeing zoning changes to add over 36,000 new units by 2031, though resistance to higher density may slow progress.

Read More Here!

Family Wineries Acquire St. Helena Estate Amid Napa Price Drop

The William Harrison Vineyards & Winery in St. Helena has been sold for about $6.8 million to members of two Bay Area winemaking families - the Clarks of Amizetta Estate Winery and the Longs of David Arthur Vineyards. Renamed William Perry, the winery will keep producing wines under the William Harrison brand and plans to reopen for tastings this fall after renovations.

The sale comes as Napa Valley vineyard prices drop, with price reductions hitting a four-year high in June and inventory surging, creating a buyer’s market. The new owners see this as a rare opportunity for small, family-owned wineries to acquire prime properties in the Rutherford AVA. Read More Here!