“Did you know the Hunter-Dulin Building once housed the West Coast headquarters of NBC?” I ask. The Hunter-Dulin Building stands before you a testament to San Francisco’s rich history. This architectural gem completed in 1927 is more than just an office building. It’s a living piece of the city’s past.
The Hunter-Dulin Building boasts a stunning late Gothic Revival and French Renaissance Revival style. Its 22 floors and impressive 94-meter height dominated the San Francisco skyline when it opened. For fifteen years from 1927 to 1942 the Hunter-Dulin Building served as the West Coast home of the National Broadcasting Company. Executives worked on the 21st floor. Broadcast studios filled the 22nd.
But the Hunter-Dulin Building’s fame extends beyond broadcasting. This is where the fictional Sam Spade had his office. The location featured in Dashiell Hammett’s iconic novel “The Maltese Falcon”. Hammett placed Spade’s detective agency on the fifth floor. The building has played host to other businesses too. Most recently the peer-to-peer lending firm Prosper Marketplace occupied the 22nd floor.
The Hunter-Dulin Building underwent a complete restoration and renovation between 1999 and 2001. This impressive feat preserved its historical integrity. Today the building continues to serve the city as a class A office building. It stands as a symbol of San Francisco’s resilience and enduring spirit in the heart of the Financial District. Even during the city’s recent office vacancy crisis the Hunter-Dulin Building remains a significant landmark. Its story is one of broadcasting history fictional detectives and enduring architectural grace. The Hunter-Dulin Building is more than just an address. It’s a legacy.