Welcome back to the final “Past Meets Possibility” newsletter from SF Heritage.
On August 1, SF Heritage published a Request for Concept Proposals to transform the Doolan-Larson House and Storefronts into “a dynamic, community-centered cultural destination.”
Between August and November, we’ve shared monthly highlights about how this landmark, at the iconic corner of Haight and Ashbury streets, has adapted and reinvented itself over time. SF Heritage has also surveyed the Haight-Ashbury community to hear what they would like to see at the Doolan-Larson House and Storefronts: click here for the results.
The RFCP deadline is this Friday, November 21, at 11:59 pm PST. If you are ready to submit your Concept Proposal, you can do so through the portal linked here. We look forward to hearing from you!
For our final newsletter, we’ll discuss adaptive reuse at the Doolan-Larson House and Storefronts and how a historic building provides exciting opportunities to honor the past and reimagine the future.
Adaptive Reuse at the Doolan Larson House
This week, let’s return to the heart of this project: adaptive reuse. The team selected for this project will build upon a legacy of residents, artists, and organizations who have transformed this property over the past 122 years.
Adaptive reuse–the act of renovating and reusing a pre-existing structure for new purposes–is at the core of the Doolan-Larson’s history. Constructed as a single-family residence in 1903, the home was elevated in 1907 to create space for six storefronts on the first floor. The top floors were converted into apartments, until Norman “Norm” T. Larson purchased the building in 1980.
Over 25 years, Norm renovated the Doolan-Larson House to honor the building’s historic character, from rejoining the apartment units to restoring the original pocket doors, woodwork, and fixtures. However, Norm also respected some of the changes made to the building throughout its history: he kept a second-floor kitchen and a new bathroom from the apartment era, and he restored the 1508-1512 Haight Street Storefronts, keeping the building mixed-use.
As the property’s current owners, SF Heritage has embraced this balance of honoring the past and embracing new ideas. Between 2020 and 2023, SF Heritage welcomed over 10 artists-in-residence who transformed the Doolan-Larson into a music studio, stage, art gallery, and more–all while producing work that engages with the history and residents of Haight-Ashbury. Now, we’re excited to partner with a team that will continue this legacy.
The Doolan-Larson’s location at the Haight-Ashbury intersection and its Colonial Revival style are important elements of its history that must be preserved. At the same time, the many tenants and residents who spent time at this property, from Peggy Caserta to Holcombe Jewelers, remind us that historic landmarks can be sites of change and reinterpretation.
As we look to the future of the Doolan-Larson House and Storefronts, we encourage proposals that engage with the history of the Haight while embracing Haight-Ashbury’s creativity and dynamism. The Doolan-Larson House and Storefronts combines an iconic location, unique architecture, and countless inspiring stories, and it is this convergence of past and possibility that we look forward to seeing in your Concept Proposals.
Are you interested in shaping the history of the Doolan-Larson? Friday, November 21 is the final day to submit a Concept Proposal to transform the building into “a dynamic, community-centered cultural destination.” For more information, please visit haightandashbury.org.
Project Timeline
- RFCP Process Opened to the public: August 1, 2025
- Participation Forms Due: November 21, 2025
- Responses Due: Friday, November 21, 2025
- RFP Invitations Issued: January 2026
- Proposals Due (Next Phase): End of April 2026
- Public Presentations of Finalists: May 2026
- Final Interviews: May 2026
- Project/Partner(s) Selected: June 2026
About San Francisco Heritage: San Francisco Heritage is a 501(c)(3) membership organization that preserves and enhances San Francisco’s unique architectural and cultural identity. Since its founding in 1971, Heritage has built on its activist underpinnings and has dedicated itself to citywide advocacy and education. www.sfheritage.org
