Hello George. It's Bob Dunn. I'm glad you are doing so well. Thanks again for allowing me to use your home as the setting for one of my short stories. I live in Sacramento now. In this video I learned about your family for the first time. For those who might read my comment, George and I went to the same high school, and I swam with his older brother.
I am so glad Georges mother bought this house when she did. I was a Realtor in SF in the 1990’s and represented its former owner, whom his mother purchased from, when they moved back east. This house had been loved and cared for by its former stewards since the 1980’s, when it was already one hundred years old. And like George said, this house had not been altered or tampered with like some of its neighbors. There are some redwood floor beams that are of one long continuous board, running from the front to back of the house. Due to the BayAreas climate and Redwood, there was never any termite damage or rot like most wood houses deal with. I’m so glad this house is in such good and loving hands. Bravo George and thank you World Of Nuance for sharing this with us.
As a child in San Francisco I remember taking the bus with my mother every week and going by these houses. I had determined that I was going to have a Victorian house when I grew up. And my dream came true when we purchased a Queen Anne home in Denver's historic Lower Highland neighborhood.
I ran into this video by accident, and was delighted to see that the focus was on the house I used to clean in the late ‘70s! So, no, I didn’t wonder what the inside was like-I knew it intimately. It was owned at that time by three young tech guys, and furnished with various bits and pieces. One guy had the stuff that was replaced when his office remodeled, one had his mom’s antiques, and one had bricks and boards. There was a separate apartment on the top floor that they rented to a young lady who I never met, and as she did not pay in for cleaning, I never saw it. There was a tiny wee bit of psychedelic paint in the basement, but generally the place was well-preserved, and had very good vibes. Thank you for the chance to see it as it is now-it’s beautiful!
Wow! His mom was a teacher and she bought one of these beautiful houses. Incredible absolutely amazing historical story about all the collected items saved from his family all those years in storage. Yes, we came to watch the video because of his house but we definitely left appreciating this wonderful man.
I love the Painted Ladies. They were done by one architect and the detail in them and the craftsmanship are amazing. I grew up in that area and it was wonderful to see them over 30 years and how the owners changed little details and paint. They're such an iconic part of San Francisco.
I visited the house at 720 Steiner Street back in the late 1970s. My step grandfather knew the homeowner and he gave us a tour of his house. What struck me as a 10-year-old kid from suburban San Jose was how narrow the house was and that the hallway was on the side of the house and not down the middle of the house. The video says that they were run down in the 1970s/1980s, but I can tell you that they were in good shape in the 1970s and were famous (locally) before the book was published. What changed that area from a multi racial multiethnic neighborhood wasn't Redlining but the influx of high paid tech workers in the 1990s/2000s, resident tourist as I call them.
I agree. We were raised in SF and the description of the neighborhood by George and the narrator is not at all what I remember. Alamo Square and these houses were lovely, there wasn’t “redlining” in the City, Blacks , Whites, Japanese, Chinese, Filipinos, Italians all lived in neighborhoods next to each other. More division started after the late 70s and 80s with the movement of Blacks to Oakland and Berkeley during the height of the Black Panthers, the SLA settled in SF and Sacramento, and the Mexican Farm Worker’s Union were in the Central Valley. That was a complicated time in SF history but the houses were taken care of.
@@zuzuspetals9281 The redlining probably forced the movement of black people out of the Alamo area. If mortgages and jobs became harder to get, they left.
I stumbled across this video…and am so glad I did. When I saw these homes years ago I wondered about who lives in them. This video partially answers that question. Both the home and George are so charming. Watching was a delightful way to spend 18 minutes. Thank you for making this.
Love your video. Fascinating hearing the history of the painted ladies and hearing from the owner of the light blue painted lady. Nice to see something positive about SF. ❤
We were admiring George’s house in January. We lucked out and got a parking spot on the other side of street in front of his house (not in front of his driveway! Haha) I had no idea he gave tours. Next time, for sure! He seems like a great guy. A hug from España!!
Back in 1998, I was able to be a guest of a friend who once lived in San Francisco, but at the time Berkeley. He was so gracious in taking me around the city to see the sights. Imagine the afternoon when he took me to Alamo without mentioning the Painted Ladies. Once I saw them, I felt as though I had stepped through the looking glass, for to me they were one of the city's most iconic features. I'll never forget sitting on the lawn across the street...and just taking in their beauty and the history behind them.
I liked hearing about his story, especially since his family has lived there for multiple generations. I lived there as a child and had extended family there after we moved, so we'd visit frequently every month. Even though the city has had/is having some rough times, there's still a charm to the city. It's history is rich and the arts/culture there is cool to experience.
As an immigrant tech professional who has lived across from the Painted Ladies in Alamo Square for over a decade, I’m captivated by these elegant homes. Once, I saw them as mere relics of a bygone era, silently witnessing the city’s transformation. But learning that families have lived and thrived here for nearly 200 years is enchanting. These homes have endured the Gold Rush, the Great Earthquake, and countless lifetimes-each wall holding whispers of history and hope. A beautiful testament to the resilience and spirit of this city. Incredible video!
What a special tour. Born and raised in the Bay Area, I’ve seen the Painted Ladies. What a privilege to own one of these treasures. Thank you for sharing your home and your knowledge.❤ it’s a beautiful home. I love that your mom went after her dream home and made it happen.
He forgot the large Italian presence. My great grandmother immigrated from Italy to this neighborhood where my grandfather was born & raised. Great grandfather passed away from flu while the children were young. This community helped them out immensely. Times were different them.
What a lucky man to be living in the most beautiful (painted my favorite color, and the most authentic inside) house in the row. I've read that book, Painted Ladies, before. What a great experience to have.
Thank you for posting this! And to George, your mother was beautiful. At 7:46, I saw pictures of a pretty little girl and thought that had to be his Mom. And I imagine that Shirley Temple doll was hers. Beautiful home, inside and out!!! Thank you John for the tour. ❤️💙❤️💙
I have no idea how or why this came up in my feed, but I'm sure glad it did. What a wonderful interview and he seems like a decent person. Thank you for uploading this.
One of my favourite looking homes in San Francisco. Especially the neighbourhood, with the views, plus the park across the street too. It's a whole vibe
@@LaurenceDay-d2p Queen Anne architect style is very slightly different from Victorian, it's a bit more "lacy" although they are very similar. The Victorians are slightly more simple, and I like them better.
I also. In Junior high my best friend & I would walk from the beginning of Golden gate Park & explore all through it! We had so much fun! I didn't go to 7th grade that much. But I knew Golden gate Park! Unfortunately I wouldn't walk through the park now! One time we walked straight through and ended up on the beach! The music was fun! The people were fun! Life was so much fun in Frisco
Great show! The owner is such a great speaker and story teller. I have worked on several historic projects. Each has its own story. Yours is a very memorable one.
I'm a University of San Francisco alumna but it's been a really long time since I've been able to go back to the city. Videos like this make me feel close again, and I still tell myself I'll own a Victorian home one day. Thank you for sharing this gem with us. 💖
Thank you for the tour of your unique, lovely home. I’ve visited this neighborhood multiple times and I always wonder about the lighting in these homes being so close together.
I absolutely loved this story have always admired the painted lady’s love all of Americas history & architecture….thank you for sharing…..love from Western Australia 🇦🇺
My daughter lived on Steiner for a while. The owner, an elderly lady, lived upstairs. The place looked great from the outside but it was quite run down. The old woman died and the relatives, who my daughter had never seen before, swarmed in and renovated it.
This is fabulous! How gracious of him to open up his beautiful, historic home! I can't say I wouldn't be tempted to do the same. He probably makes a good deal of extra money. Good for him! He seems to enjoy it as well! Great video. Thanks for sharing 🙂✌️💙
I wish I had visited there after seeing this video. I visited S.F. Several years ago when my daughter asked me to travel to Calif. with her for a medical convention. She went off to the convention all day and I went out exploring. I totally remember walking past these houses as well as sitting in the park across the street and taking photos of the houses. If I remember correctly I believe one of them was having some kind of construction going on at the time.
Hi George, I love the Painted Ladies. Grew up being a huge fan from the first time I saw them in photos. God bless you for sharing your home with us. I remember when they were apartments. They Painted Ladies need to be spared. You shouldn't be allowed to change anything! Without significant oversight by San Francisco historical society.
Came by this accidentally. John, I really really enjoyed it. What a lovely man in the painted lady is absolutely stunning. Really enjoyed this thank you. From LIZ in Northern California.
This is such an awesome video. I just happened upon it as a recommended and I love it George you and that house are made for one another. I was there not long ago, even though I’m a Santa Rosa native it was my first time seeing the painted ladies. I parked across the street and sat in the park for about an hour just soaking it all in. I wish you many years of health and happiness and good times in your house. Blessings abound. 🌺 thank you for your mini generosities and sharing.
Great video! I sometimes feel being curious about these houses in Alamo neighborhood, and here we go, the video. I feel lucky being stumbled on it and able to know the owner and a bit history of the house. Great job! Thanks much.
As I'm reading the comments I think some of them think his family lived in this house , apparently you did not hear his mom bought it in the early 2000's , the artifacts and furniture and such in his house are his family's .. nice vid It was quite interesting thank you 😊
720 Steiner is the house where the movie 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' was used during 1978. It's one of my favorite sci-fi thrillers movies. The house that actress Brooke Adams's character resided in.
Thank you for this video, I didn't know anything about this row of houses, now I do! I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and have always wanted to visit California-it's on the bucket list. I loved the sink in the bathroom that fit into the two corners. A house like this would be awesome, I hope they stay like this for years to come for other generations to appreciate.
Oh wow....LOVED hearing about his Great-Grandfather, his Auntie, and that EVERYTHING was kept in storage !!!!!!!!!😯 I wonder how many people have such unique treasures from their ancestors.
wow...that is a way more positive experience living in one of the most famous houses in the country than expected. I would have thought it to be a tiresome chore, and best left to someone who could afford to leave the house vacant. the reality is so much nicer...and George seems like a peach.
This was so interesting !!!! My Dad took gorgeous photos of these houses in the 80's, and I enjoyed seeing them when we visited, but never knew the interesting history.
My mom used to work for a famous writer who used tonlive in the one with the butterfly gate. I grew up going there weekly. A beautiful wonderful home. Huge and spacious. 4 stories.
My brother lived in one in the mid to late 60's. I was lucky enough to be able to stay in one (don't recall which one it was), but it was beautiful inside & out. I will always remember the owner who was from Mexico - he had the most beautiful blue eyes & blonde hair. I was 16 at the time.
