Downtown Deco
Neighborhood: Downtown
Description
Even though the Art Deco movement was a French creation, it found a dedicated American evangelist in San Francisco architect Timothy Pflueger. As one of the most prominent architects in the city during the 1920s, Pflueger had a profound impact on the shape and aesthetic of San Francisco’s early soaring skyline. His designs, along with those of other architects, reflected the times: his early skyscrapers invoke the jazzy buoyancy of the Roaring 1920s, and San Francisco’s thriving economy throughout the period.
We’ll take a comprehensive tour of all the Art Deco masterpieces in San Francisco’s downtown — starting with the stunning lobby of the restored former Pacific Telephone Building including its Chinese motifs, the art-infused former Stock Exchange and Tower, the Egyptian-inspired Shell Building, and, the neo-Mayan medical building at 450 Sutter Street.
Soak up San Francisco of the 1920s through these elegant, timeless buildings.
Next Tours
Notes
Tour Length: Approximately 1-1/2 to 2 hours.
Location
Meet in front of the Telephone Building at 140 New Montgomery, in between Mission and Howard. Public transportation: MUNI/BART Montgomery Station; all Market Street buses & streetcars.
Please note: Private group tours required for groups of 8 or more.
