Doolan, Richard P., Residence and Storefronts
Also known as: Norman T. Larson Residence and Storefronts
Why it's listed
This corner building at Haight and Ashbury Streets in San Francisco combines a single-family residence with storefronts below. The house was built in 1903, then raised about six feet in 1907 so shops could be built at street level. A separate commercial building with three shops was added to the west the same year. The residence has shiplap siding, a dentillated crown molding, a hipped roof with dormers and Palladian windows, and its interior retains fireplaces, pocket doors and a staircase. The corner storefront keeps original saloon windows, and the 1506 Haight shop front is original to 1907. The nomination argues the property matters for its architecture, described as a rare mixed-use form of Colonial Revival, and for its link to the 1960s Hippie Movement in the neighborhood that takes its name from this intersection. The period of significance runs from 1903 to 1969. Federal reviewers questioned whether its role in 1960s events was exceptional enough to justify the listing.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents the property as significant for its association with the 1960s Hippie Movement (Social History) and as a rare mixed-use example of Colonial Revival architecture in San Francisco. A National Park Service review sheet in the document questions whether the exceptional significance required for a property under 50 years of age is justified.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 09001201, listed May 11, 2011. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 557 Ashbury St./1500-1512 Haights St., San Francisco |
|---|---|
| County | San Francisco |
| Listed | May 11, 2011 |
| Reference number | 09001201 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1903-1969 |
| Architect / builder | Doolan, Frank T., architectural draftsperson |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival, (20th Century) |
| Areas of significance | Social History, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Ground-level spaces are used as shops and the upper level as a residence; the storefronts were restored in 1984-85. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Golden Gate Park |
| Coordinates | 37.77015, -122.44700 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 09001201.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q133464378
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.