Because I had a listing not too long ago at the St. Regis, I like to keep up on that building, and lucky for you, I like to share what I find. Although young, considerably younger than my colleagues (most of whom I completely respect and admire) selling in the building, I’m no dummy.

Here is a list of most recent activity at the St. Regis (188 Minna). What is important to note on all of the “active” listings, every single one of them has either been on the market before with another agent, or been reduced by a large enough margin to reset the DOM (Days On Market). So they are hardly “new” and hardly “active”. In fact, I’d go so far as to say every listing there is a Stalefish, which by no stretch of the imagination means it is a bad property, just getting a little long on the market, and a great opportunity for you buyers that have your eyes on the St. Regis.

Let’s take a look at the most recent sales: Unit 27D, which started in June of 2008 at $3,475,000, reduced countless times, eventually down to $2,995,000 in December 2008 and withdrawn from the market. Relisted in January 2009 at $2,550,000 and recently sold in March 2009 at $2,300,000. That is $1,175,000 (34%) less than original asking price and it took nine months to get there.

Unit 25D was the only other 2009 sale, and was originally listed in September 2008 for $3,995,000, withdrawn in December, relisted with a new agent in January 2009 at $3,200,000 and eventually sold April 2009 for $2,500,000 ($1,495,000 or 37% less than original asking price) or $1402 per square foot and eight months on the market.

For comparison, we sold unit 38B three months prior to unit 27D, and we sold it in seven days for a higher price per square foot than what 27D recently achieved, and many would argue 27D to be a nicer unit. At the time we advised our clients to take the offer we had on the table and run to the hills, even though it was below asking (asking $2,395,000), and we knew we’d be laughed at by some other agents selling in the building and rumors about our sale would quickly circle, which they did, and which is exactly why we kept the sales price confidential.

So that brings us to the facts, and good comparisons to see what has happened to high rise luxury real estate in San Francisco in just one year, and how a little foreshadowing saved our clients time and money. Unit 38B sold in March 2008 after seven days on the market (with us), for roughly $1350+ per square foot…cash. Unit 27D listed three months after our sale for $1940 per square foot, took nine months to sell for $1337 per square foot. Unit 25D listed six months after our sale, eventually sold eight months later for $1402 per square foot.

We’ll let you do the math and discuss. For us, the writing is on the wall, and if you’re interested in a unit at the St. Regis, or currently live there, we’d be happy to discuss all high rise luxury sales and listings with you (email alexclark@gmail.com).

Happy Friday!