Reader Britta writes in to let us know about a writeup she did on the old (abandoned?) Mission Police Station on 17th Street near Treat. I’ve always wanted to check out the interior, but never had the chance. Anyone know what’s going on in there now? Last I heard Tracy Chapman was thinking of buying it, and had maybe done some recording in there. Britta suggests that it may currently be owned by an entertainment industry management firm. Sounds spooky.
In 2014
[image via Google Street View]
In 1924
[photograph via UC Berkeley, Bancroft Library]
 Mission Police Station on 17th Street near Treat. I’ve always wanted to check out the interior, but never had the chance. Anyone know what’s going on in there now? Last I heard Tracy Chapman was thinking of buying […]</p>
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The Planning Dept. property map lists an application for a permit to turn it into a artist’s live/work loft back in ’99. Wonder if that artist was Tracy Chapman?
http://propertymap.sfplanning.org/?&search=3057 17TH ST
That could make sense – http://sf.curbed.com/archives/2007/03/05/rumblings_and_bumblings.php says she was at planning meetings about the building at some point, and http://www.about-tracy-chapman.net/2002-let-it-rain/ mentions a photo shoot she did there, so it does sound like she’s fond of the building.
And nice, I’d forgotten to dig around the city’s database. That links to a great historical resource document with photos of 1906 earthquake damage: http://sf-planning.org/ftp/files/gis/Showplace/Docs/3573008.pdf
I took this picture of it a while back: https://www.flickr.com/photos/obeyken/6265565114/
That’s much better than anything I ever managed to shoot of that building.
I remember sometime in the mid-nineties, Madonna supposedly had a release party there – it was a huge deal with the street blocked off and the sidewalk covered in red carpet. I worked down the street and everyone was abuzz about the whole affair. So, the music industry connection sounds legit.
Tracy chapman has owned/lived in it for years.
Hmm, it’s not zoned for residential use (http://propertymap.sfplanning.org/?&search=3057%2017TH%20ST), so I’m guessing it’s not being used as a living space right now.
I heard about the Chapman connection from everyone I know at the rite spot. Doesnt make it true but they seem like they’d be a semi credible source. Its a beautiful building.
I thought she lived near Dolores
Yes…she lives on Dolores Street.
I worked for Pg&e fot 42 years. A native San Franciscan I had access to many buildings. Bacl in the 90′s a man bouhgt the old police station. He restored the interior, which had large spacious rooms in the Classical style. For a short time he sold antiques therr
Richard Pike was the antique dealer. He showed me some of the solitary cells that were still there. I’ve been a good boy ever since.
Jealous
I’ve always been curious what the old (Pepsi?) bottling plant at 17th and Valencia looked like before it was replaced by the new police station. Anyone have a picture of that?
I have the picture in my mind! For real – it’s from the 80s though – pre-digital, sorry.
I seem to remember reading in “Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist” by Alexander Berkman or maybe “Living My Life” by Emma Goldman that Berkman was held in that jail temporarily before being deported…. I dont have time to research it to verify, but if someone else does it would be interesting…
You can see all the names on the deeds going back to the 90s here-
http://www.criis.com/webtemp/67.161.21.232/apn_list.html
Link doesn’t work. Is there another link you can give us? Maybe it’s private?
Tracy Chapman does own and live there. I friend of my did extensive ceiling murals in there for her. It is an absolutely amazing gem!