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Building History

San Francisco architect William Curlett (1846-1914) won a competition among nine architects to obtain the commission for this Mutual Savings Bank Headquarters #2. An article appeared in the San Francisco Call describing the project: "The Mutual Savings Bank of San Francisco, of which Mayor Phelan is president, will soon erect a ten-story building on the north side of Market street, extending through to Geary and just east of the gore of Market, Kearny and Geary streets. The plans of W. Curlett, the architect, were adopted yesterday by the board of directors of the bank. The ground dimensions of the new building will be: Market street frontage 53 feet, Geary street frontage 73 feet. the lot is irregular in shape, and consequently the depth of the building will vary from 53 feet on the east to 79 feet west of the west line of Kearny street. The structure will be thoroughly fireproof and modern. To the height of two stories the material employed will be granite and above that sandstone. The general style will be monumental. The corners, lower story and the roof line will be ornamental, but the remainder will be plain. The bank will be on the ground floor together with a store to be 20 feet wide and the entire depth from Market to Geary street. The bank will take the greater part of the Market street frontage, but there will be an entrance to the office elevators of handsome proportions. The number of offices will be about 150. The cost of the building will be about $300,000. There were nine architects in competition for the work and premiums were awarded to Messrs. Albert Pissis, Swayne & Van Trees. The work of demolishing the old buildings and the construction of the new will begin as soon as all the working plans are ready. The building will take about one year to construct." (See "Tall Building for Mutual Savings Bank," San Francisco Call, vol. 87, no. 149, 04/18/1900, p. 12.)

PCAD id: 20597