The Pacific Telephone building
The Pacific Telephone Building, located at 140 New Montgomery in San Francisco, has a rich architectural and historical significance. Built in 1925 for the Pacific Telephone Company, it was the city's first significant skyscraper and the first in the Moderne style. Designed by James Rupert Miller and Timothy Pflueger, the building stands 26 stories tall and is clad in nine shades of grey terra cotta. It features Art Deco and Neo-Gothic elements, with intricate details like the Bell Phone system logos and ornate elevator doors. Note the bell symbol above the entrance. The lobby boasts a black polished marble floor and a ceiling adorned with red stenciled designs of unicorns, phoenixes, and other creatures.
Historically, the Pacific Telephone Company has a long legacy in San Francisco, dating back to its predecessors formed in the late 19th century. The company played a pivotal role in early telephone communications, including facilitating the first transcontinental phone calls between the East Coast and San Francisco in 1915. The building's construction cost $4.55 million and was influenced by Eliel Saarinen's design principles, featuring vertical elements and gradual setbacks.
The Bell Telephone Building underwent a $50 million renovation in 2007, preserving its architectural integrity while modernizing it for office space. The renovation included seismic retrofitting, repair of terra cotta elements, replacement of window frames, and restoration of original features like flying phone book ornaments. Today, the building offers 280,000 square feet of office space with amenities like a private outdoor garden, bike parking, and ground-floor dining or retail options.
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