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Overview

The noted Saint Louis-based architectural firm of Eames and Young designed this grand, Beaux-Art Style government office building in San Francisco. Eames and Young had expertise building large-scale buildings with steel frames, and designed at least three on the Pacific Coast, this one, the New Washington Hoteland the Alaska Building, the latter two in Seattle, WA.

Building History

Serving the largest port on the West Coast at the time, this was the larger of two Customs Houses existing on a triangular parcel of government land between Sansome Street and Battery Street in San Francisco, CA; the first had been erected in 1855; Construction on this second customs house began 01/28/1906, before the onset of the Great San Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 04/18-21/1906, and lingered on for five years. The building was still in use by the Federal Government in 2005.

Building Notes

National Register ID Number: 75000476. GSA Building Number: CA0092AA.

Alteration

A renovation after the Loma Prieta Earthquake of 1989 concluded in 1997; according to the U.S. Government Services Administration web site: "In 1997, a renovation that increased seismic resistance and upgraded electrical, plumbing, and data systems while preserving the historic character of the building was completed. Original historic finishes were restored as part of the project." (See "U.S. Custom House, San Francisco, CA Building Overview,"Accessed 07/29/2009.)