Architecture Downtown

Description

After the 1906 earthquake crumbled and burned San Francisco, the city was back to square one. If it wanted to remain the major American city of the West, it wouldn’t just need to rebuild — it needed to transcend what had been done before.

Over the next century, luminous designers from Chicago and New York would bring their experiences working with new materials set at record heights to innovate the local blueprint. Architects like George Kelham, Willis Polk, William Pereira, and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill would paint the skyline out of thin air. Julia Morgan, the first female licensed architect in California, would also make her Parisian Beaux Arts training evident downtown. Across the city, beautiful buildings went up every year.

Look up today, and you’ll see a new beacon dominating the sky: the Salesforce Tower, the tallest office building in the West. Hear about how San Francisco’s distinctive skyline and urban plan was shaped in the aftermath of catastrophe. Get to know the architects who revolutionized the way we build — and learn all the secrets of this city’s magnificent rise to the heavens.

Next Tours

• Monday, February 10 at 1:00 pm given by Tim E.Sign Up
• Sunday, February 16 at 2:00 pm given by Bill F.Sign Up
• Monday, February 17 at 1:00 pm given by Edward O.Sign Up
• Monday, February 24 at 1:00 pm given by Lisa R.Sign Up
• Sunday, March 2 at 11:00 am given by Cara T.Sign Up
• Monday, March 3 at 1:00 pm given by Michelle L.Sign Up
• Sunday, March 16 at 2:00 pm given by Bill F.Sign Up
• Monday, March 17 at 1:00 pm given by Edward O.Sign Up
• Monday, March 24 at 1:00 pm given by Tim E.Sign Up
• Monday, March 31 at 1:00 pm given by Tim E.Sign Up

Notes

Formerly known as Rising Steel: 20th Century Downtown Architecture

Tour Length: Approximately 1-1/2 to 2 hours