Historic Dolores Street Church Condo Sold for $6.65 Million
The 5,300-square-foot unit in the landmarked Light House building traded for $150,000 below its initial asking price.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Commercial
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A notable piece of local real estate overlooking the Dolores Park neighborhood has changed hands as the Chora Trust purchased a 5,300-square-foot condo at 653 Dolores St. The property, housed in a former church known as the Light House, sold for $6.65 million in October 2026.
Why it matters
The sale reflects shifting dynamics in San Francisco’s high-end residential market, where properties are seeing varied results despite a broader 11 percent increase in citywide condo sales. As the city navigates its ongoing recovery, observers continue to watch how future Bay Area IPO activity might influence property values.
The condo sold for $6.65 million, which is $150,000 below the original $6.8 million list price. This sale price represents a 9 percent increase since the unit last sold for $6.1 million in 2016, though it reflects a 22 percent shortfall when adjusted for inflation.
The players
John Nichols
The former owner of the condo unit who sold the property to downsize.
Chora Trust
The entity identified in public records as the buyer of the 653 Dolores St. property.
Gary Tan
A resident and unit owner within the Light House building.
Alexander Lurie Fromm
The real estate broker who represented the buyer in the transaction.
The details
The Light House building, which was designated a city landmark in September 2026, consists of only four units. Seller John Nichols offloaded the property to downsize and relocate closer to family. Real estate broker Alexander Lurie Fromm represented the buyer, the Chora Trust, in the transaction.
Timeline
2016: The church building was converted into four condo units.
2016: The home previously sold for $6.1 million.
2024: Gary Tan purchased his condo unit in the same building.
August 2026: More than half of city condos sold above asking.
September 2026: The building was officially designated a city landmark.
Across the Bay
The transaction follows the September 2026 landmark designation of the Light House building, cementing its status as a preserved historic site. This sale highlights how unique residential conversions contribute to the city’s landmarked inventory amid shifting regional market trends.
While the sale does not change street-level access, neighbors in the Mission near Dolores Park may note the high-profile nature of the landmarked Light House property. Interested buyers can monitor public records to track how similar historic conversion properties perform in the coming quarter.
The takeaway
Large-scale property sales in unique, landmarked buildings often serve as a bellwether for the city’s high-end market capacity. Keep an eye on quarterly real estate reports to see if this sale price indicates a cooling trend for luxury historic properties.
Further reading
For more insight into the local market, visit San Francisco Commercial.
Source note: This article includes information reported by San Francisco Chronicle.
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