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Haifa Aaliyah

"Explore the Russ Building: A Landmark of Downtown San Francisco"

2023-03-26

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Photo byLance Yamamoto/SFGATE

The Russ Building in San Francisco is a historic landmark that has captured the attention of onlookers for nearly a century. From its vantage point, you can see a panoramic view of the city, including the Transamerica Pyramid, Coit Tower, Alcatraz, and Mount Diablo. The flag on top of the building is a unique feature raised and lowered daily following patriotic tradition. One of the few structures in San Francisco still equipped with a flagpole is The Russ Building, which is examined by qualified steeplejacks every four years.

Emanuel Charles Christian Russ, a German immigrant who moved to San Francisco from New York City, built the Russ Building in 1847. He bought the land on which the building now stands for $26, equivalent to less than $3,000 in today's dollars. The Russ House Hotel was later built on the land in the 1860s by Russ's son, Adolf, and it quickly became a popular destination for wealthy and influential visitors to the booming city. The hotel contained hundreds of rooms and ground-floor retail stores, and newspaper reports at the time said it hosted the who's who of California.

The earthquake and fire of 1906 destroyed the hotel, and a three-story office building replaced it. This structure was demolished in 1925 for a grander addition to downtown. Architect George William Kelham was hired to design what would become the tallest building in the city. He used a new building strategy that allowed full floors to be completed before erecting the entire steel frame. This permitted the Russ Building to be completed in just over a year, five months ahead of schedule.

Downtown San Francisco entered a new era when the skyscraper debuted in 1927. On the 11th level of the structure, there was a gym, a women's clubroom, several odd amenities, a barbershop, and a law library. The United States Steel Products Company, General Electric, and prestigious financial institutions like Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch were among the inaugural tenants.

Thanks to its unique and impressive design, the Russ Building has survived for almost a century. Its grand lobby is an ornate relic of the past, with marble floors, bronze detailing, carved ceilings, and wood-framed windows. The exterior is also decorated with gothic arches, finials, and spandrels. Kelham's architectural style has inspired many of San Francisco's most iconic buildings, including the Asian Art Museum, the Standard Oil Building at 225 Bush St., and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.

The Russ Building is a reminder of San Francisco's rich history and an iconic feature of the city's skyline. Despite its age, the building continues to attract visitors and admirers from all over the world. The Russ Building's enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless elegance and beauty.

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