The Myrtle Street Flats are connected to the Goodman Building which stands behind them fronting on Geary Street. (The Goodman Building is listed on the National Register and is San Francisco Landmark 71.)

When Abraham Goodman bought the Emeric Building on Geary Street in 1900, it was a two-story building.

After the 1906 Earthquake and Fire, Goodman took advantage of the demand for housing and commercial space by raising the Emeric Building one floor to construct the present storefronts on Geary Street. He also added the mansard roof, the fourth floor, and constructed the eight apartments fronting on Myrtle Street.

With the traditional downtown commercial district destroyed by the fire and earthquake, Van Ness Avenue became the new commercial center (the fire stopped at the east side of Van Ness).

Many property owners along the east [sic] side of Van Ness converted disaster into profit by doing what Abraham Goodman did with his property. Unfortunately, because of the ravages of Redevelopment and private developers, the Goodman Building and the attached Myrtle Flats are the only surviving example of this post-earthquake phenomenon in this part of San Francisco.

Architecturally, the Myrtle Street Flats appear to be unique in the City.

From NRHP Nomination Form approved in June 1976.