Heineman Building
The Verdict
"A 10-story Edwardian on a lot barely 20 feet wide on Bush Street, designed by George Applegarth in 1910 as a necktie and suspender factory. Glazed terra cotta, hammered copper panels, prismatic bow windows. Look up between Battery and Sansome."
What you need to know
What’s There
The Heineman Building is a 10-story Edwardian-era structure on Bush Street, on a lot barely 20 feet wide. Architect George Applegarth (of MacDonald & Applegarth) designed it in 1910 as a necktie, belt, and suspender factory commissioned by H.M. Heineman. It was one of the first buildings to go up in the area after the 1906 earthquake.
The narrow facade is covered in glazed terra cotta tiles, with crown-like ornaments along the roofline and hammered copper panels on each floor. The bowed windows contain prismatic glass designed to channel natural light into the deep, narrow interior, a practical solution in the era before fluorescent lighting.
The building now houses offices, so the interior isn’t open to the public. The facade is visible from the sidewalk.
Visiting
Cost: Free (exterior viewing only)
Hours: Visible anytime. Best in daylight when the terra cotta and copper catch the sun.
Best time to go: Midday, when direct light hits the facade.
What to know: The building is between Battery and Sansome on Bush Street. Look up. It’s easy to walk past.
Getting There
Transit: BART or Muni to Montgomery Station, then a 3-minute walk east on Bush Street. Multiple Muni lines stop along Market Street nearby.
Parking: Garage parking at Sutter-Stockton or 550 Kearny. No free street parking in the Financial District during business hours.
Walking: Steps from the Financial District’s core. Combine with a walk to the Transamerica Pyramid, Jackson Square, or the Ferry Building.
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