The Church of Scientology International has purchased a historic three-story building near its SF headquarters for $2.2 million, adding roughly 10,000 square feet of space as the organization expands its local operations.
Speaking of controversial spiritual organizations expanding their footprints in the Bay Area, the Church of Scientology has purchased a three-story building at 650 Sacramento Street for $2.2 million, as the SF Business Times reports. The organization plans to use the roughly 10,000-square-foot property on the edge of the Financial District for church activities.
Church spokesperson David Bloomberg said the purchase will expand the organization's capacity to serve its members and the broader community.
The existing church, located a couple blocks from the new property at 701 Montgomery Street, occupies the historic Fugazi Bank Building. According to the SF Standard, the church's SF chapter opened in late 2003, with then-Mayor Willie Brown among those attending the high-profile opening.
Rich Lewetzow of Sotheby's International Realty reportedly represented the sellers in the latest transaction. The co-owners, Pasadena-based Felicitas Global Partners and San Francisco's Brick & Timber Collective, purchased the property for $2.5 million in June 2021 through a foreclosure sale.
Known as the Bartlett Building, the Sacramento property dates to 1908. Previous efforts to redevelop it as co-living housing stalled amid the pandemic and the downturn in downtown activity, per the Business Times.
The property reportedly underwent extensive renovations after years of neglect. Michael Sanberg of Touchstone Commercial Partners, who was previously involved in efforts to sell the building, described its former condition as "totally gutted, dilapidated and needed everything."
A 2019 permit covered a $950,000 seismic upgrade, while other permits documented elevator replacement, interior demolition, and new drywall.
Lewetzow told the Business Times the building attracted considerable interest before the church completed its purchase, describing the sale as part of the ongoing revival of downtown San Francisco.
The church plans to preserve historic features while adapting the building for its needs.
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