Discover elegant historic living at Park Hill, San Francisco's iconic Spanish Revival landmark featured in Alfred Hitchcock's classic 1958 thriller "Vertigo." Located at 351 and 355 Buena Vista Avenue East, San Francisco, CA 94117, this magnificent mid-rise complex offers 136 residences perched on 3.5 acres of manicured hillside gardens directly across from the serene Buena Vista Park.
Originally built in 1926 as St. Joseph's Hospital, Park Hill was designed by the legendary architectural firm of John Bakewell Jr. and Arthur Brown Jr., renowned for creating some of San Francisco's most prestigious buildings including San Francisco City Hall, San Francisco Art Institute, Temple Emanu-El, and the City of Paris department store. Both architects studied at UC Berkeley and the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, bringing elegant European Beaux-Arts sensibilities to San Francisco architecture.
Park Hill was added to the National Register of Historic Buildings in 1985, recognizing its architectural and cultural significance. The complex comprises two distinctive buildings at 351 East and 355 West Buena Vista Avenue, originally functioning as a convent and hospital. The property was converted to luxury condominiums in the late 1980s while preserving the building's signature Spanish Revival grandeur and historic character.
Park Hill achieved cinematic fame when director Alfred Hitchcock selected the striking pink Spanish Revival buildings as a filming location for "Vertigo" (1958), starring James Stewart and Kim Novak. An exterior shot was used as the sanitarium where James Stewart's character Scottie Ferguson convalesces after his traumatic breakdown. The building's dramatic hillside location and distinctive architecture made it an ideal backdrop for this iconic psychological thriller, considered one of the greatest films ever made.
Park Hill offers 136 condominium units ranging from 512 to 1,408 square feet, with studio, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom floor plans available. A typical residence is approximately 800 square feet. Many homes feature sweeping panoramic city views or overlook the peaceful Buena Vista Park across the street. The condos retain many original architectural details while incorporating modern updates and conveniences.
Park Hill provides exceptional full-service amenities including full-time front desk doorman and concierge service, secured parking garage with dedicated spaces, community rooftop deck with panoramic city views, the restored original chapel available for private events and receptions, additional personal storage units, landscaped romantic gardens throughout 3.5 acres of grounds, gated security entrance, and BBQ areas. The ornate stained-glass and fresco-adorned chapel remains one of the most spectacular features, allowing residents to reserve this magnificent space for weddings, parties, and special events.
Park Hill's prestigious address at 351-355 Buena Vista Avenue places residents directly across from 36-acre Buena Vista Park with its hiking trails, tennis courts, playground, and stunning city vistas. The location offers immediate access to three of San Francisco's most vibrant neighborhoods: Haight-Ashbury District on one side of the hill, The Castro District on the other side, and nearby Cole Valley with its charming boutiques, cafes, and restaurants.
The neighborhood provides easy walking access to Duboce Park, Golden Gate Park, and exceptional public transit options. The Duboce and Noe Muni station is just 0.4 miles away, providing convenient connections throughout San Francisco. The Financial District is less than 2 miles away, making commuting effortless.
The Buena Vista Heights neighborhood offers a Walk Score of 95+, making it exceptionally walkable for daily errands and city exploration. Excellent public transit access via Muni Metro includes the Duboce and Noe station nearby. San Francisco International Airport is 24 minutes away (14.5 miles), while Oakland International Airport is 34 minutes away (21.9 miles).
Nearby attractions include Golden Gate Park, Haight-Ashbury shopping district, Castro Theatre, Twin Peaks views, University of San Francisco, UCSF Medical Center, and dozens of acclaimed restaurants and cafes along Cole Valley and Castro Street.
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