For fans of the iconic sitcom Full House, the picturesque backdrop of San Francisco is as much a character as the Tanner family themselves. While the opening credits famously showcase the Painted Ladies of Alamo Square, the true exterior shots of the Full House house are located elsewhere. The actual Full House residence is situated at 1709 Broderick Street, nestled in the charming Lower Pacific Heights neighborhood, a locale brimming with historical significance, architectural beauty, and cultural vibrancy.
Discovering 1709 Broderick Street: The True Full House Location
Contrary to popular belief fueled by the show’s intro, the Tanner family’s home isn’t among the celebrated Painted Ladies. Instead, to find the Full House house, one must venture about a mile north to 1709 Broderick Street. This address places it in Lower Pacific Heights, an affluent San Francisco enclave renowned for its stunning Victorian architecture and sophisticated ambiance. This neighborhood offers a glimpse into San Francisco’s rich history and cultural tapestry, making the Full House house location even more intriguing.
Architectural Significance of the Full House House
The home at 1709 Broderick Street is a quintessential San Franciscan Victorian, a style masterfully brought to life by architect Charles Lewis Hinkel. Hinkel, a notable figure in San Francisco architecture, imbued the house with distinctive features that capture the city’s architectural spirit. Intricate moldings, classic bay windows, a welcoming brick stoop, and that recognizable red front door all contribute to its undeniable curb appeal. For enthusiasts of real estate and architectural design, the Full House Broderick Street house is a prime example of San Francisco’s residential artistry. Interestingly, architecture aficionados can also explore Hinkel’s personal residence, a transitional Second French Empire style home located at 280 Divisadero Street in Lower Haight, showcasing the breadth of his architectural talent.
Behind the Scenes: The Real House vs. TV Set
While the exterior of 1709 Broderick Street became synonymous with Full House, Bob Saget, beloved for his role as Danny Tanner, humorously pointed out the architectural discrepancies between the real house and the fictional Tanner home interior. According to MeTV, Saget playfully deemed the Full House house “architecturally impossible” if the interior were to match the spacious set viewers saw on television. Row houses, typically ranging from 12 to 25 feet in width, as explained by Landis Construction, highlight the spatial limitations of 1709 Broderick Street. In a lighthearted Entertainment Tonight home tour, Saget quipped that the house would need to be approximately 12,000 square feet to accommodate the expansive Tanner household as depicted on screen. In reality, Zillow reports the Full House house at just over 3,700 square feet, encompassing three stories, four bedrooms, and four bathrooms – a far cry from the sitcom’s perceived dimensions.
Renovation and Real Estate Journey of the Broderick Street House
In the years following the conclusion of Full House, the Victorian at 1709 Broderick Street underwent a significant transformation. Business Insider reported that Jeff Franklin, the creator of Full House, acquired the property for $4 million in 2016. Franklin’s initial vision was ambitious: to renovate the house into a near-replica of the Full House TV set, intending to utilize it for filming the reboot series, Fuller House. However, Travel and Leisure noted that these plans faced obstacles, as building permits encountered neighborhood resistance.
Rachel Swann, director of the luxury division for The Swann Group at Coldwell Banker, played a pivotal role in the home’s journey, overseeing the renovation from its inception in 2016 through its sale in 2019. As the house returns to the market, The Swann Group is once again managing the listing. The renovation project was expertly guided by architect Richard Landry of Landry Design Group, a distinguished design studio established in 1987. Swann, in an interview with Architectural Digest, lauded the meticulous attention to detail in the renovation. She emphasized the unparalleled quality of materials and finishes throughout the home, noting, “Everything they did here was top-of-the-line,” highlighting the commitment to excellence in the revitalization of this iconic property.
For Full House enthusiasts and those captivated by San Francisco’s architectural gems, 1709 Broderick Street remains an unmissable landmark, forever linked to television history and the enduring charm of the city.
