Jen Carlson of Gothamist recently came across a slew of old Apartment Life magazines online—the publication later turned into Metropolitan Home, part of Hachette Filipacchi Media, but folded in 2010. In one glorious issue, Carlson came across Northpoint Apartments, which tried to cash in on the Northpoint neighborhood trend at the time. (Was it a trend? Probably not. Or maybe? Senior readers of SFist, please weigh in below.) When conceiving the 2211 Stockton residence, the builders "thought 'neighborhood' not 'building'' while creating the now somewhat out-of-date complex.
As a selling point, they also proudly describe it as "a fort—locked entrances, no ground-level windows."
Certainly not the Tales of the City-ish era we prefer when it comes to our 1970s SF, but we'll take it. Just look how well a terracotta potted-plant tablescape goes with a massive crab feast!
Oh, and the rent for a 1-bedroom at the time? $255. Do let that sink in.