Roos House
Why it's listed
Standing on the northwest corner of Jackson and Locust streets in San Francisco's Presidio Heights, this 1909 house was designed by Bernard Maybeck as a wedding present from Morris Meyerfield to his daughter Elizabeth on her marriage to Leon Roos. The wood frame residence rises three stories over a basement and combines half-timbering, steep slate-clad gable roofs, leaded diamond-paned windows and Gothic quatrefoil ornament. Inside, redwood paneling, a cathedral-ceilinged living room with a massive cast stone fireplace, and Maybeck-designed light fixtures and furniture reflect his taste for theatrical effect. Later changes between 1913 and 1926, including a sitting room, dressing room and Morning Room, were also by Maybeck. At about 9,000 square feet, it is the largest Tudor Revival house he designed. It was listed for its architecture, as an exceptional example of his personal approach to the style, and it remains in excellent condition as a private home.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an exceptional example of the work of master architect Bernard Maybeck under Criterion C in the area of Architecture. It shows Maybeck's personal interpretation of Tudor Revival style, with complex massing and intricate Gothic decoration. It is described as the largest Tudor Revival residence he designed and retains its integrity.
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 09000805, listed October 8, 2009. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 3500 Jackson St., San Francisco |
|---|---|
| County | San Francisco |
| Listed | October 8, 2009 |
| Reference number | 09000805 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1909-1926 |
| Architect / builder | Maybeck, Bernard |
| Architectural style | Late 19th & 20th Century Revivals: Tudor Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition and appearing much as it did when built; still used as a single dwelling. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 37.79036, -122.45253 (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 09000805.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q133463921
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.