Ira Prentiss Kurlander

1938 - 2025

Ira Kurlander
08/11/1938 - 04/11/2025
Ira Prentiss Kurlander, 86, died April 11, 2025, after a brief illness. Born on Aug. 11, 1938, he was raised in Brooklyn by his parents, Herman and Frances. His brother, Neil, predeceased him. After winning a New York Regents scholarship in high school, he attended Pratt Institute, graduating in 1961 with a Bachelor of Architecture degree from its design school.
At the age of 17, Ira hitchhiked to California for the summer and immediately fell in love with San Francisco. After his graduation from Pratt, he made it his home for the rest of his life.
Ira was consummately skilled in drawing and rendering buildings. His impressive portfolio was his calling card. He soon gained employment at prominent local firm, Hertzka & Knowles, where he was the chief designer on the 34-story PG&E headquarters on Beale Street.
Ira quickly started his own architectural practice, both to have better control over his projects and to accommodate his travel desires. His house in Cole Valley was featured in Architectural Digest in 1985. He was the design architect for the 1994 Gump's redesign at the behest of friend Geraldine Stutts. He continued designing throughout his 60-year career, with houses in Santa Cruz and Sonoma being completed in 2024 and 2025.
In 1966, he flew around the world, visiting architectural marvels in Japan, Cambodia, India, Iran and Egypt, among many other countries. He continued his travels throughout his long life, particularly in France and Italy where he energetically sought out art and architecture. Vacationing with Ira combined education and ease, with trips to museums and buildings balanced by great food and conversation. Ira loved gelato, and no day was complete without a taste, or two!
Ira's friends fondly remember long lunches at his legendary Sonoma summer retreat, Villa PIA. Of particular interest were the 20-foot-tall bay hedges that set off his signature square pool, where guests would gather for after-meal conversations in the relaxing and rejuvenating 90-degree water.
His hosting skills at home were unmatched, as well. The round dinner table sparked many lively discussions among his elegant and educated coterie of friends.
Ira was a skilled chef. (He credited his many dinners at North Beach stalwart Vanessi's for his genius on the stove top.) His pasta was always cooked perfectly! Ira always included a cheese course in a savory nod to his European travels.
Ira was a passionate supporter of many organizations and causes. Beginning in 1985, Ira was a long-time board member of urban environmental organization San Francisco Tomorrow. He assisted in the start-up and site planning for the National AIDS Memorial Grove from 1992. He particularly loved the San Francisco Opera and Theatre Rhino, San Francisco's longtime gay theater company.
Ira was predeceased by his long-time domestic partner of 30 years, James Mays, Jr. He is survived by his husband, Andrew Guest, and his nephews, family members and many, many cherished friends.