Picture this You are standing before the majestic Phelan Building a San Francisco landmark. Its triangular shape is instantly recognizable. It’s a true testament to the city’s resilience.
The Phelan Building you see today isn’t the original. The first Phelan Building built in 1881 by James Phelan was a six-story beauty. It boasted bay windows and a mansard roof. Sadly it was severely damaged in the devastating 1906 earthquake and fire. Its remains were dynamited just weeks later.
James D Phelan James’s son decided to rebuild. He wanted a structure that symbolized San Francisco’s rebirth. He commissioned the construction of the Phelan Building we admire today. Work began in 1907. It was completed in 1908. The building became one of the first office structures rebuilt after the earthquake.
The architect William Curlett designed an 11-story masterpiece. It features metal windows and is clad in cream-colored glazed terra cotta. The original steel framework was designed for 13 floors. However only eleven were constructed.
The Phelan Building wasn’t just offices. It had an assembly hall on the 11th floor. There were arcade stores on the second floor. A basement cafe provided a place for a quick bite. For decades it was a hub for the jewelry industry. Dozens of jewelers had shops there. A jewelry school even called it home.
A unique feature is the small penthouse. It once had a rooftop garden. James D Phelan used it to entertain VIPs. In the 1960s it became a photography studio. It was abandoned in the 1980s.
Among the building’s early tenants was George Haas & Sons. Their confectionery was famous. They were marketed as having the most beautiful candy shop in the country. Their tea room on the second floor was quite popular.
Today the Phelan Building houses modern businesses. It is a blend of past and present a reflection of San Francisco itself. The building continues to stand tall a symbol of endurance and renewal. The Phelan Building reminds us of a city that rebuilds and thrives.