Painted Ladies

Welcome to Alamo Square. You are currently standing in one of the most celebrated and frequently photographed vantage points in the American West. …

As you move southward along the park's eastern edge, keeping the majestic row of homes in your line of sight, it is imperative to understand the sheer improbability of their existence today. San Francisco is a city defined by its…

To truly appreciate the visual feast before you, we must first engage in a brief, scholarly lesson on the architectural taxonomy of San Francisco. The term Victorian does not refer to a single, monolithic style of home design,…

Now, let us turn our analytical focus to the most arresting feature of these homes: the paint itself. It may come as a profound surprise to learn that these structures were not initially designed to be the vibrant, multi-hued…

Please direct your attention to the impressive residence situated at the southernmost end of the row, located specifically at 722 Steiner Street. This magnificent structure is widely known as the Kavanaugh House, and it stands…

Let us take a moment to look much closer at the staggering exterior craftsmanship on display across these facades. When you visually break down a Queen Anne exterior, you begin to see a deliberate geometric game being played by…

While we cannot physically step inside these private residences today, the historical record and recent real estate restorations provide us with a wonderfully vivid picture of the secrets hidden behind these heavy wooden doors.…

As our thorough exploration of Postcard Row comes to its natural conclusion, I invite you to slowly walk back toward the center of Alamo Square Park. Take one final, comprehensive look at the Painted Ladies as they stand shoulder…

As our thorough exploration of Postcard Row comes to its natural conclusion, I invite you to slowly walk back toward the center of Alamo Square Park. Take one final, comprehensive look at the Painted Ladies as they stand shoulder…