MEDIA RELEASE

SAN FRANCISCO –The San Francisco Board of Supervisors joined the Planning and Historic Preservation Commissions in unanimously approving landmark district status to eight buildings on and near Market Street between Franklin and Valencia Streets, citing the architectural significance of each building. All the buildings in the newly granted “Market Street Masonry Landmark District” are separated along a stretch of Market Street, but are similar in structure and known for their association with San Francisco’s reconstruction after the 1906 earthquake and fire. All eight buildings were all constructed out of earthquake and fire-resistant materials. The district is the first to be designated in 10 years, and is the 12th district to receive local recognition since 1967.

“I am thrilled and grateful for the support that the owners and tenants have given for the designation of these buildings,” said John Rahaim, director of the San Francisco Planning Department. “Our vision under the Market and Octavia Plan is to create a balance of new development while retaining historical features around Market Street. This designation of the Masonry Landmark District aligns with our goal to revitalize and share San Francisco’s unique character.”

The locations of the new landmarks within the Masonry District include:

• 150 Franklin Street
• 20 Franklin Street (also referred as 1580-1598 Market Street)
• 1649-1651 Market Street
• 1657 Market Street
• 1666-1668 Market Street
• 1670-1680 Market Street
• 1687 Market Street
• 1693-1695 Market Street

The buildings in the district were constructed from 1911 to 1925 by leading architects such as August Nordin, G. Albert Landsburgh, Conrad A. Meussdorffer and George Applegarth. Each building was designed in one of the early 20th century style structures, such as the Classical Revival, Colonial Revival and the Venetian Gothic Revival.

"San Francisco's diverse historic building stock is our greatest asset as a City, and it's this diversity that gives our City its unique character block by block," said Karl Hasz, president of the Historic Preservation Commission. "Today's vote by the Board of Supervisors shows our commitment to ensure that this diverse character is a party of The City's fabric for generations while we continue to rebuild our major urban center."

“I am very happy that the Historic Preservation Commission and the Board of Supervisors have approved naming our Beaux-Arts building a part of the landmark district,” said Claudia Schwartz, owner of Bell’occhio in the 1651 Market Building.A Mayoral signing from Mayor Ed Lee is required in order to recognize Market Street Masonry District as an official landmark district. 

About Historic Preservation
The Historic Preservation program honors and preserves the City of San Francisco’s architecturally, historically and culturally significant buildings, landscapes, objects, and sites. Since 1967, the City of San Francisco has bestowed landmark status to more than 260 landmarks and eleven landmark districts. Funding for historic preservation research and public outreach activities for the Masonry Landmark District was provided by a Preserve America grant. For more information about San Francisco’s landmarks, visit www.sfplanning.org.

Media Contact: Joanna Linsangan
415.575.9119 | joanna.linsangan@sfgov.org