Hobart Building, San Francisco

Situated in San Francisco's financial district, the Hobart Building stands tall as a prominent office high-rise on Market Street, near Montgomery and 2nd Streets. Its construction was finalized in 1914, making it the city's second tallest building at that time, boasting an impressive stature of 21 floors and reaching a height of 87 meters (285 feet). The visionary behind its design was Willis Polk.

Originally commissioned by the Hobart Estate Company, the building took shape on the very spot where the company's previous offices stood. In the 1880s, founder Walter S. Hobart carefully selected this location due to its strategic position at the head of 2nd Street, which once served as a vital artery leading to the fashionable Rincon Hill neighborhood. Willis Polk, the esteemed architect, held the Hobart Building dear, considering it his favorite commercial creation. The structure's exterior features sculpted terra cotta adorned with Baroque ornamentation, while the interior showcases handcrafted brass and Italian marble, serving as a remarkable testament to neoclassical architecture.

The distinctive shape of the building arose from the asymmetrical polygonal nature of the site. Over time, its allure grew as a neighboring structure was demolished in 1967, exposing one side and lending the Hobart Building an even more idiosyncratic and striking appearance. Recognizing its architectural significance, the City of San Francisco designated the Hobart Building as a landmark in 1983. Furthermore, it earned a well-deserved place on the National Register of Historic Places in 2021.