Historic San Francisco home on Lombard Street listed for $5.25 million
San Francisco Chronicle
By Aidin Vaziri
A historic residence on San Francisco’s Lombard Street, famously known as the “crookedest street in the world,” is now available for $5.25 million.
Situated in the prestigious Russian Hill neighborhood, the multiunit home at 2-4 Montclair Terrace, located on a corner lot perpendicular to Lombard, combines historic charm with modern amenities.
Listed by Roland Jadryev of Sotheby’s International Realty, the home was once owned by early California painter Rowena Fischer Meeks Abdy in the 1920s. From the 1960s until she died in 2023, maritime architect and arts patron Mérí Jaye maintained it as a single-family residence.
The home was crafted in 1910 by architects Charles M. and Arthur F. Rousseau, celebrated for their contributions to San Francisco’s architectural landscape.
The primary unit of the five-bedroom property features an open-concept living area with large windows providing natural light and bay views. It includes a primary suite with an en suite bathroom and an additional bedroom that can serve as a guest room or home office. The top floor offers flexible space with panoramic views.
The second unit, which could serve as a rental, guest suite or multigenerational living space, includes a living room, kitchen and bedroom with ample storage and views.
Additionally, there is a garden apartment with a full bath and wine-tasting room, providing access to a landscaped garden and courtyard.
The garden features a 100-foot redwood tree, planted by Jaye in 1962 in memory of her husband and children, who died in a plane crash. The tree, recently designated as San Francisco Landmark Tree No. 26, was the subject of a contentious neighborhood debate for years.
“This remarkable home is a rare find, offering both the prestige of living on Lombard Street and the tranquility of a private garden retreat,” the listing states.
It also references a 1972 essay by Edward F. Bielski called “The History of Russian Hill,” noting that William Randolph Hearst learned the “clog dance” on this block, Mrs. Robert Louis Stevenson lived nearby, and Thomas Crowley of Crowley Maritime resided across the street.
