The 5 Most Iconic Mid-Century Homes in San Francisco

Updated: May 3

San Francisco may be known for its colorful Victorians and Edwardians, but the city is also home to some of the country's most stunning mid-century modern residences . Designed by pioneering architects, these homes embody the era’s signature aesthetic—clean lines, open floor plans, and seamless indoor-outdoor integration. Here are five of the most iconic mid-century modern homes in San Francisco.

1. The Donald and Helen Olsen House (1954) – Donald Olsen

A Modernist Masterpiece in the Berkeley Hills

Tucked into the treetops of Berkeley, the Donald and Helen Olsen House is more than just a residence—it’s a living artifact of mid-century modernism. Designed by Donald Olsen as his personal home and studio, this striking property stands as a rare West Coast example of true International Style architecture, as taught by Walter Gropius at Harvard and refined by modernist icons like Le Corbusier and Mies van der Rohe.

In a region celebrated for the warm wood tones and organic sensibilities of Bay Area Modernism, Olsen's home boldly breaks rank. Crisp, white, and unapologetically geometric, the home channels the European avant-garde—its curtain walls of glass creating a seamless visual connection between the interior and the surrounding garden landscape. Olsen described it as a “machine for living in a garden,” and it delivers: light floods through open-plan spaces, while compact proportions make the home feel simultaneously expansive and intimate.

What makes the Olsen House iconic isn't only ts design pedigree. It’s the fact that it remains almost entirely intact—a time capsule of 1950s modernist ideals. For over half a century, it served not only as a family home but also as a gathering space for Berkeley’s intellectual and creative elite. Helen Olsen, a painter, used the space as her studio, while the couple entertained guests ranging from artists to architects, all within walls that still echo with dialogue and design.

Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a City of Berkeley Landmark, the home is an architectural gem that continues to inspire. With three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a light-filled studio, and a mural by Claire Falkenstein integrated into the entryway, it stands ready for a new chapter—one that honors its legacy of creativity, community, and clarity of form.

Why It’s Iconic:

The home exemplifies mid-century transparency, with an open, light-filled interior that feels at one with nature.
It remains largely unchanged since its construction, serving as a time capsule of 1950s modernist design.
Olsen’s work was deeply influenced by Mies van der Rohe and Le Corbusier, making this home a rare piece of European-inspired modernism in the Bay Area.

2. The Eichler Summit (1965) – Claude Oakland & Jones & Emmons

A High-Rise Take on Mid-Century Living

Perched high above the city on Russian Hill, The Summit is a landmark in every sense of the word. Completed in 1965 and instantly recognizable for its mid-century silhouette, the 32-story tower is the only high-rise ever developed by modernist icon Joseph Eichler. Known for redefining suburban living with glass-wrapped atriums and open-plan architecture, Eichler brought that same vision skyward with this bold experiment in vertical modernism.

Originally built as luxury apartments and later converted to condominiums in 1974, The Summit—also affectionately referred to as Eichler Summit—stands as a testament to form, function, and forward-thinking design. The structure itself is pure International Style: a monolithic grid of glass and concrete that remains one of the most architecturally significant residential towers on the West Coast.

Over the decades, The Summit has drawn the city’s cultural and political elite, weaving its way into San Francisco lore. It features prominently in Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City and Sean Wilsey’s Oh the Glory of It All, the latter being a particularly personal entry—Wilsey’s parents, socialite-author Pat Montandon and philanthropist Alfred Wilsey, were the building’s first penthouse owners.

Today, the twin crown jewels of The Summit—two breathtaking penthouses—are on the market. Together, they represent a combined legacy of architectural prestige and political glamour. Most recently home to the late Charlotte Mailliard Shultz (San Francisco’s beloved Chief of Protocol) and her husband, former U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz, these residences were acquired over time to create one sprawling double-penthouse atop the city.

Connected by private corridors on the 32nd floor, each penthouse is a study in refined mid-century elegance. Soaring floor-to-ceiling glass walls frame sweeping views of San Francisco Bay, from the Golden Gate Bridge to Alcatraz, while dramatic staircases, in-unit elevators, and wraparound terraces elevate the experience—literally and figuratively.

The North Penthouse is a modernist haven, outfitted with in-floor radiant heat, skylights, and thoughtfully curated finishes. The living area includes a wood-burning fireplace, wet bar, and access to panoramic outdoor spaces. The chef’s kitchen is all function and finesse: granite counters, a floating island, double Viking ovens, a Wolf range, twin Sub-Zero refrigerators, Miele dishwashers, and a separate butler’s pantry with wine storage.

Upstairs, the primary suite is a showstopper. Dual bathrooms, three walk-in closets, a dressing room, private balcony, and iconic views make it feel less like a bedroom and more like a personal observatory suspended above the city.

The South Penthouse is no less spectacular. Bathed in natural light and finished in warm wood tones, it offers a dramatic double-height living room, gourmet kitchen, and formal dining area ideal for entertaining. The mezzanine—accessed by a sweeping staircase—hosts another wet bar and wood-burning fireplace, while the upper-level suite features dual closets and a marble-clad bath.

And while the penthouses may get all the attention, the entire building is a testament to thoughtful urban living. Residents enjoy 24-hour doorman service, private parking, additional storage, and an on-site manager—all within one of the most architecturally important addresses in the city.

Yes, the price tags are steep (a combined $29 million, or available separately), but so is the pedigree. This isn’t just luxury real estate—it’s a piece of San Francisco history, lived in and loved by some of its most storied citizens.

Why It’s Iconic:

It’s one of the few mid-century modern high-rises in the city, blending modernism with urban density.
Every unit has breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and the downtown skyline.
The design preserves Eichler’s philosophy of bringing the outdoors in, with expansive terraces and walls of glass.

3. The Joseph Esherick House (1958) – Joseph Esherick

A Mid-Century Retreat in the Sea Cliff Neighborhood

Perched above the rugged coastline in San Francisco’s Sea Cliff neighborhood, this mid-century gem was originally designed in 1958 by Joseph Esherick—one of the most influential voices in California modernism. Known for his quiet rigor and sensitivity to site, Esherick approached residential architecture not with spectacle, but with a deep respect for proportion, restraint, and the rhythms of daily life. This home is no exception.

Wrapped in warm redwood paneling and grounded in clean, geometric lines, the house is a masterclass in simplicity. Esherick’s signature touch is evident throughout: an intentional use of natural light, sightlines that frame the landscape rather than compete with it, and a kind of architectural humility that lets the materials—and the setting—do the talking.

Decades later, the home’s new stewards brought in San Francisco-based firm Edmonds + Lee Architects to thoughtfully renovate the property. Their goal was clear: preserve the integrity and historic character of Esherick’s original vision while introducing a sense of openness, exploration, and modern livability. The result is a beautifully restrained renovation that feels at once faithful and fresh.

Among the most striking interventions is a sculptural, cantilevered staircase that floats in the center of the home—an architectural gesture that simultaneously anchors and expands the interior. Glass and wood interplay across new sightlines, connecting the home to the Pacific beyond. It's a dialogue between generations of design: Esherick’s quiet order, and Edmonds + Lee’s spatial poetry.

Special thanks to Joe Fletcher, whose photography captures the soul of this home in rich detail—the light bouncing off raw timber, the sense of stillness, the clean honesty of form. His images preserve what words can only attempt to describe: the lived-in elegance of a mid-century original, gracefully renewed for the next chapter.

Why It’s Iconic:

Esherick was known for human-centered design, and this home’s layout prioritizes comfort and livability.
The home’s warm wood tones and natural materials reflect mid-century California’s deep connection to the landscape.
Esherick’s work influenced the next generation of Bay Area architects, making this house a benchmark for mid-century residential design.

Final Thoughts

San Francisco’s mid-century modern homes offer a glimpse into a design era and reveal a city shaped by bold ideas and architectural experimentation. From the crystalline precision of Donald Olsen’s International Style residence to the iconic vertical statement of the Eichler Summit, these structures embody the movement’s core values: innovation, livability, and a reverence for light, form, and place. Whether nestled in the hillside or woven into the city's dense urban grid, each home tells a story of thoughtful design and timeless vision—proof that mid-century modernism is a way of living that continues to inspire.