“Another skyscraper?” you might ask while gazing at 650 California Street. But this isn’t just another steel and glass structure piercing the San Francisco sky. It’s a landmark with a story etched into its very frame.
650 California Street, also known as the Hartford Building, stands tall with its 34 stories. Reaching a height of 466 feet, this office tower marks the northwestern edge of San Francisco’s Financial District. Its location on California Street places it on the border of Chinatown. It is conveniently located not far from 555 California Street.
Interestingly, 650 California Street remains visible from almost every direction. Only from the southeast do the Financial District skyscrapers obscure the view.
Designed by Edward Charles Bassett of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, 650 California Street was built for Hartford Insurance. Its architecture is defined by a modernist lobby and high ceilings. The exterior features floor-to-ceiling windows set into a square gridwork of precast white reinforced concrete.
Upon its completion in 1964, 650 California Street was the second building in San Francisco exceeding 400000 square feet. For a brief period, it held the title of California’s tallest building. It surpassed the Russ Building and the Los Angeles City Hall.
However, 650 California Street is also one of 39 San Francisco high rises flagged by the U.S. Geological Survey. It is potentially vulnerable to significant earthquake damage due to a structural deficiency.
Ownership of 650 California Street has changed hands several times. The Pivotal Group acquired it for $160 million in 2000. In 2007, it was sold to private investors. Tishman Speyer and partner Prudential Real Estate Investors purchased the tower in 2012 for around $230 million. Tishman then renovated the lobby for $14 million. In September 2014, Columbia Property Trust Inc. bought 650 California Street for $309 million.
Adding to its list of accolades, 650 California Street achieved Gold Level certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design in June 2011. The LEED program recognizes environmentally and socially responsible building design, construction, and operation.
Did you know that 650 California Street even has a connection to Hollywood? The building served as the fictional workplace of Doris Martin in The Doris Day Show.
In more recent news, after Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, the company stopped paying rent on its 30th-floor office space. The building’s landlord responded by filing court papers.
Today, 650 California Street houses several key tenants. These include Affirm, AppDirect, and Credit Suisse.
And speaking of Affirm, the financial technology company occupies floors eight through twelve. They lease 86225 square feet of space, enjoying amenities like a gym and a rooftop with bay views.
So, as you stand before 650 California Street, remember that you’re not just looking at an office building. You’re seeing a piece of San Francisco history. A building that has been the tallest, a fictional workplace, and a hub for innovation. Its story continues to evolve with each passing year, with each new tenant, and with each change in the San Francisco skyline.