Beneath the Old Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco two ships lie. The Apollo and the Niantic rest under the foundations. They were scuttled during the Gold Rush. Imagine the untold stories they hold.
This majestic building at 400 Sansome Street is more than just stone and mortar. It’s a testament to San Francisco’s financial history. For nearly sixty years it served as the headquarters for the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. Its Beaux-Arts style is striking. The Ionic colonnade is pure elegance. The upper levels reflect the Moderne style of 1924.
The Old Federal Reserve Bank didn’t start here. It began in 1914. It operated in rented quarters. This was only temporary. A proper building was needed. Construction on 400 Sansome Street began in 1920. It was finished in 1924. George W Kelham the architect of the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition designed it. He understood grandeur. He also understood collaboration. He worked with Jules Guerin. Guerin painted the stunning mural in the banking lobby. It depicts Venetian merchants. It’s a tribute to the world of banking.
The Old Federal Reserve Bank remained at 400 Sansome Street until 1983. Then it moved. John J Balles the president explained why. The staff had grown. It had grown from 21 to 1000. More space was needed. This building was then sold. Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe a prominent law firm occupied it until 2002.
Bently Holdings purchased the building in 2005. They undertook a massive renovation. They updated the interior. They preserved the Beaux-Arts style. They even restored the original chandeliers. The building is now known as the Bently Reserve. It received LEED Silver certification. It is a testament to both history and sustainability. The Old Federal Reserve Bank is more than a building. It’s a living piece of San Francisco’s past. Its legacy continues. Today it hosts events and conferences. It is a reminder of a time when financial power resided within its walls.