If you've lived in the Bay Area for any amount of time, chances are good that you've come across someone who lived in this apartment complex. The behemoth — with tall high-rises and short townhome-style structures — sits beside San Francisco State University. Sure, it got a fancy new name, The Villas at Parkmerced, and fancy new rental office a few years ago. But inside these residences, you can still catch a glimpse of the '50s.

A friend of ours recently forwarded a link to the original ParkMerced brochure. Having spent a good amount of time in one of these apartments, we couldn't believe how little has actually changed. And with the renewed interest in mid-century furniture, these images could be straight out of a current tenant's place. (Okay, maybe not the curtains.)

The 1955 brochure boasts: "Residents can enjoy restful suburban living in the heart of the fabulous city by the Golden Gate." It advertises rentals ranging from 1-bedroom suites to 4-bedroom/4-bath units. Rents back then were $79 to $350 per month.

Today, in Parkmerced's "Web Specials" listing, a 1br/1ba in the Tower is going for $1,979. A 3br/2.5ba townhome will set you back $3,859.

You can view more vintage San Francisco photos and brochures on the Western Neighborhoods Project website. (Just select one from the "Choose Neighborhood" pulldown.)

Photos: Western Neighborhoods Project