William Westerfeld House

William Westerfeld House stands at 1198 Fulton Street and shows elaborate wood ornaments, 28 rooms, and architectural features from the Victorian era. The facade combines curved balconies, turrets, and delicate carvings into one of the most striking examples of Queen Anne architecture in the Alamo Square neighborhood.

German confectioner William Westerfeld commissioned architect Henry Geilfuss in 1889 to build this residence for 9,985 dollars. The house changed owners several times over the decades and was declared an official San Francisco landmark in 1960.

The building earned the nickname Russian Embassy when Russian emigrants bought it in 1928 and turned the ground floor into the Dark Eyes nightclub. This connection to the Russian community shaped the residence for several decades, linking European tradition with San Francisco social life.

The building holds the official designation San Francisco Landmark Number 135 and underwent extensive restoration work including foundation reinforcement and woodwork preservation. Visitors can view the exterior facade from the sidewalk, as it remains a private residence.

Kenneth Anger lived in the house during the 1960s counterculture movement and used it as a filming location for his underground film productions. This phase connects Victorian architecture with the avant-garde cinema of that era.

Location: San Francisco

Inception: 1889

Architects: Henry Geilfuss

GPS coordinates: 37.77722,-122.43639

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:02