Historic Resource Evaluations (HREs) and Historic Resource Reviews (HRRs)

If you have found our website, you probably know that the San Francisco Planning Department requires historical review for projects that could impact a building over 45 years old. Our firm has been certified by the San Francisco Planning Department as an approved historical resource consultant that is capable of preparing Historic Resource Evaluations (HREs) and Historic Resource Reviews (HRRs). In recent years, VerPlanck has branched out into the wider Bay Area, completing historical reports in communities across the region.

Our Work is of the Highest Quality

Over the past 15 years, the firm has completed approximately 750 projects in the Bay Area. As a result, we are very good at what we do. Our reports, studies, and nominations are thorough, accurate, and objective. Other firms may be cheaper, but their reports are often flawed, incomplete, or have suspect conclusions – often forcing planners to ask for time-consuming revisions. In contrast, our reports rarely need revisions, saving you time and money.

We Are Fair and Objective

Frankly, we got into this business because we love old buildings. However, this doesn't mean we aren't on your side when it comes to making changes to your property. However, we are honest, and we make professional findings based on over 15 years of experience. We aren't going to tell you what you want to hear just to have decisionmakers disagree with our findings and stall your project. Instead, if we determine that a building is a historic resource, we will suggest ways to achieve your goals without running afoul of historic preservation regulations. We know these regulations like the back of our hand, and local planning departments respect us because they know that our opinions are well-reasoned, objective, and can't be bought.

Design Review

You can often avoid major pitfalls by calling us before you hire an architect because we can tell you, (a) whether your property appears to be historic or not, and (b) what type of interventions may be possible before you pay for architectural drawings. Once the design process begins, we will work with your architect by reviewing drawings and suggesting appropriate revisions that can prevent you from getting bogged down in endless cycles of review at your local planning department.

Other Services

In addition to historic resource reports, VerPlanck Historic Preservation Consulting provides a wide array of other preservation consulting services, including historic context statements, historic resource inventories, Section 106-mandated historic property survey reports, historic structure reports, federal rehabilitation tax credit applications, HABS-HAER-HALS documentation packages, and Mills Act applications. We complete all of these services in-house, but if specialized skills are required for your project, we can call upon well-qualified specialists in allied disciplines, including architecture, landscape architecture, structural engineering, archaeology, conservation, and cost-estimating.

We Are Local

VerPlanck Historic Preservation Consulting is certified by the City and County of San Francisco as a Local Business Enterprise (LBE), as well as a certified Micro Local Business Enterprise.

Why You Should Hire Us

When you hire VerPlanck Historic Preservation Consulting you can be assured that you will receive a thorough and accurate report that is prepared quickly and efficiently by experienced people who are passionate about their work. In addition to being technically accurate, our reports are enjoyable to read, and will teach you fascinating things about your property and your community. Whether you live in San Francisco or anywhere else within the nine-county Bay Area (and we love our occasional work on the Central Coast and in Southern California too!), we look forward to assisting you.

Sausalito Citywide Historic Context Statement

In October 2022, the Sausalito City Council adopted the Sausalito Citywide Historic Context Statement, a multi-year project that examines the development of Sausalito from the pre-contact period to the present day. This document provides a history of Sausalito, a description of its architectural evolution, and makes recommendations on how to conserve the city's unique heritage. ► VIEW

► READ MORE

“In addition to being a consummate professional, Chris is a pleasure to work with. He is extremely detail-oriented (his research skills are superb) while at the same time able to keep on eye on the "big picture." He always meets or beats deadlines, works very well with Planning Department staff and is extremely adept at providing expert testimony. In short, I would highly recommend working with Chris.”
—Josh Smith, Walden Development

“Working with Christopher VerPlanck was a real pleasure. He immediately appreciated the charm, beauty, and historical importance of our Victorian buildings, and the nominations he prepared conveyed his enthusiastic commitment to the project. In the written statements he demonstrated highly professional style, knowledge, research, analysis, and interpre­tation, and at the same time his writing was lively and interesting, and thus persuasive and successful. Christopher VerPlanck was scrupulous and fair in accounting for his hours and expenses, and he completed the work under estimate.”
—Ms. Judith Collas, Redwood City

BIO

Christopher VerPlanck

VerPlanck Historic Preservation Consulting is founder/owner Chris VerPlanck's first solo venture. Between 2007 and 2011, he was a partner in the San Francisco-based consulting firm of Kelley & VerPlanck Historical Resources Consulting. From 1999 until 2007, VerPlanck led the Cultural Resources Studio at Page & Turnbull. From 1997 until 1999, he was a preservation fellow at San Francisco Heritage.

VerPlanck holds an M.Arch.H. and a Certificate in Historic Preservation from University of Virginia's Graduate School of Architecture. While at UVA, he interned as a conservation assistant at Monticello, where he restored the mahogany windows in Thomas Jefferson’s bedchamber. After graduating from UVA, the Society of Architectural Historians awarded VerPlanck the prestigious Sally Kress Tompkins Fellowship, which allowed him to work with the Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) in Washington, D.C.

Mr. VerPlanck's primary areas of expertise include San Francisco's nineteenth-century industrial architecture; rural western cultural landscapes; postwar suburban development, including tract housing, "Googie"-style coffee shops and bowling alleys, and Polynesian Pop (aka Tiki) lounges and hotels; and civic architecture of any era. He has lectured widely on these topics and many others at conferences, including the Society of Architectural Historians (SAH), the California Preservation Foundation (CPF), and Documentation and Conservation of the Modern Movement (Docomomo).

Mr. VerPlanck's primary areas of expertise include San Francisco's nineteenth-century industrial architecture; rural western cultural landscapes; postwar suburban development, including tract housing, "Googie"-style coffee shops and bowling alleys, and Polynesian Pop (aka Tiki) lounges and hotels; and civic architecture of any era. He has lectured widely on these topics and many others at conferences, including the Society of Architectural Historians (SAH), the California Preservation Foundation (CPF), and Documentation and Conservation of the Modern Movement (Docomomo).

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