Fire-ravaged San Francisco home once labeled a 'drug den' sells for $2 million

A Castro duplex that recently burned in a house fire sold for $2 million. A Castro duplex that recently burned in a house fire sold for $2 million. Photo: Graff Photo: Graff Image 1 of / 8 Caption Close Fire-ravaged San Francisco home once labeled a 'drug den' sells for $2 million 1 / 8 Back to Gallery

A burned-out duplex in San Francisco's Castro District that city officials had targeted as a "drug house" sold for $2 million on June 27.

The interior of the so-called "drug den" at 517-519 Sanchez St. was torched in a February house fire, and after the blaze, broken windows were boarded up.

The former property owner, Joel Elliott, purchased the home for $440,00 in May 1995, according to public records.

In November 2015, City Attorney Dennis Herrera filed a lawsuit against Elliott, accusing him of harboring a "drug house" known for residents dealing methamphetamine and other illicit drugs, SFGATE reported in an earlier story.

In a statement announcing the complaint, Herrera said "This property has been a neighborhood nuisance for far too long."

The district attorney's statement also said Elliott had "failed to comply with numerous orders to fix code violations at the property" that endangered the health and safety of neighbors while draining city services."

A judge granted a permanent injunction against Elliot in September 2016, ordering him to obtain permits and correct all housing code violations, as well as pay the city and county nearly $1.7 million in fines and fees. Elliott would later file for bankruptcy, and the city is pursuing a judgment for repayment.

ALSO, Alleged 'drug house' in SF's Castro district catches fire

Elliot, whose appeal of the 2016 ruling was dismissed in December 2017, told SFGATE after the fire that the house was vacant and had been "improperly referred to as a drug den." He said no one was in the building when the fire started.

The property was listed in spring and advertised as a "wonderful opportunity" to restore an "amazing Victorian."

"Bring your contractor and your imagination," the listing read. "Home has sustained fire damage and is being sold As-Is without any warranty."

San Francisco Chronicle reporter Sophie Haigney contributed to this report.