Experience authentic industrial loft living at Marquee Lofts, San Francisco's premier loft conversion in the historic Don Lee Cadillac Building at 1000 Van Ness Avenue. Located at 151 Alice B. Toklas Place, San Francisco, CA 94109, this iconic 1920s Beaux-Arts landmark has been transformed into 53 exclusive SOHO-style loft residences in the heart of San Francisco's Performing Arts District.
The Don Lee Building, designed by renowned architects Weeks & Day, stands as one of the three most architecturally significant automobile showrooms on San Francisco's historic Auto Row. Originally built in 1921 for Don Lee, who by 1926 sold more Cadillacs than any other dealer in the country except one, this National Register of Historic Places landmark (San Francisco Landmark 152) showcases Renaissance Italian and Spanish Colonial Revival architecture with ornate terra cotta detailing.
The main Van Ness Avenue facade features an elaborately decorated terra cotta entrance portal with Tuscan columns and a sculpture group by noted artist Jo Mora displaying the Cadillac logo. The building's tripartite Beaux-Arts design includes rusticated terra cotta blocks at the base and expansive plate glass windows that once showcased luxury automobiles.
Converted in 1999 by acclaimed architect David Baker + Partners, Marquee Lofts was the first loft complex developed in San Francisco's North-of-Market downtown area. The 450,000-square-foot mixed-use redevelopment preserved the building's historic Old San Francisco grandeur while creating 53 residential lofts on the top five floors (4th through 8th floors). The lower levels house a movie theater, commercial businesses, and a 401-space underground parking garage.
The Marquee Lofts showcase authentic industrial design elements including massive floor-to-ceiling windows, exposed concrete columns and beams, soaring ceilings (some with double-height spaces up to 10 feet), beautiful hardwood oak flooring, open-concept floor plans, custom-built sleeping lofts, walk-in closets, gourmet kitchens with stainless steel appliances, quartz or granite countertops, modern spa-style bathrooms, and in-unit washer/dryer hookups.
Marquee Lofts offers studio, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom loft condominiums ranging from 605 to 3,500 square feet. A typical residence is approximately 1,300 square feet with 1-bedroom and 1-bathroom. Many units feature flexible floor plans with split bathrooms, powder rooms, custom cabinetry, Restoration Hardware lighting fixtures, and versatile flex spaces perfect for home offices or guest areas.
Marquee Lofts residents enjoy exclusive amenities including a private residential entrance at 151 Alice B. Toklas Place, two private residential elevators, shared rooftop deck with panoramic San Francisco views, fitness center/gym, concierge services, secure underground parking garage with reserved spaces, additional storage units, business center, elevator access, and 24-hour security system.
Marquee Lofts occupies a prestigious location in San Francisco's Van Ness/Civic Center Performing Arts District, steps from world-class cultural venues. The building is walking distance to Davies Symphony Hall (San Francisco Symphony), War Memorial Opera House (San Francisco Opera and Ballet), San Francisco City Hall, Civic Center, Hayes Valley restaurants and shopping, Union Square (approximately 1 mile), Whole Foods Market California Street, and numerous theaters and entertainment venues.
The location offers exceptional walkability with easy access to public transportation including Muni Metro, BART Civic Center Station, and Van Ness Bus Rapid Transit corridor. The neighborhood combines cultural richness with urban convenience in one of San Francisco's most vibrant districts.
The Don Lee Building at 1000 Van Ness Avenue is a mixed-use property featuring residential lofts, commercial office space, retail businesses, movie theater (recently reopened as Apple Cinemas Van Ness with 14 screens), and underground public parking. The building successfully blends historic preservation with modern urban amenities.
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