Phelan Building, San Francisco

The Phelan Building, situated in San Francisco's Financial District on Market Street, is an 11-story office building renowned for its distinctive triangular shape. Resembling the iconic Flatiron Building in Manhattan, New York City, it gracefully converges at the intersection of Market Street, O'Farrell Street, and Grant Avenue. This architectural gem has garnered recognition as a San Francisco Designated Landmark.

Originally envisioned by William Curlett and commissioned by James D. Phelan, construction of the Phelan Building took place in 1908. Its predecessor, the initial Phelan Building, suffered severe damage during the 1906 earthquake and subsequent fire. James D. Phelan, son of James Phelan, the original building's constructor, spearheaded the reconstruction efforts.

Work on the new Phelan Building commenced on October 7, 1907, culminating in its completion on September 1, 1908, with retail stores opening their doors. Office spaces became available on January 1, 1909. Notably, it stood as one of the earliest office buildings to be reconstructed following the devastating earthquake.

The Phelan Building boasts a facade adorned with cream-glazed terra-cotta and metal-framed windows. Originally designed to accommodate 13 floors, the final structure comprises eleven floors.

Upon its grand opening, the building featured an assembly hall on the 11th floor, second-floor arcade stores, and a basement café. For numerous decades, the Phelan Building served as a hub for the jewelry industry, housing numerous jewelers and even hosting a jewelry school.