Koshland House
Why it's listed
Built between 1902 and 1904 in San Francisco's Presidio Heights, 3800 Washington Street is a brick mansion faced in broached Colusa sandstone. Its front elevation closely copies Le Petit Trianon at Versailles, with five bays, four fluted Corinthian columns and a balustraded parapet, above a curving marble stair. The interior includes a skylit atrium with green Irish marble columns, a salon said to have come from an 18th century French chateau, a mahogany library with concealed book panels, and a basement ballroom of mirrors. Art glass windows and the original French-style landscaping were the work of Bruce Porter. The architect was Franklin S. Van Trees, about whom little is known. The house was built for Marcus and Corinne Koshland, whose family fortune and patronage supported the San Francisco Symphony, the Opera and later the San Francisco Foundation. Walter Buck, a financier, was the second owner. The house was declared a city landmark in 1977.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is architecturally significant for its front elevation, an academic replica of Le Petit Trianon at Versailles, and for the richness and monumental character of its interior spaces. It is also tied to the Koshland family, whose commercial success supported San Francisco's music, cultural and philanthropic life, and to artist Bruce Porter, who designed its art glass windows and original landscaping.
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 84001186, listed January 5, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 3800 Washington St., San Francisco |
|---|---|
| County | San Francisco |
| Listed | January 5, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84001186 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- |
| Architect / builder | Franklin S. Van Trees |
| Architectural style | Replica of Le Petit Trianon (French classical, eclectic front facade) |
| Areas of significance | Art, Architecture, Performing Arts |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied, in excellent condition, and used as a private residence; the west entrance porch was being restored and the ballroom finishes were restored in 1982. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 37.78893, -122.45560 (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 84001186.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q85774922
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.