Mutual Savings Bank Building
| Industry | Banking |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1889 |
| Founder | James Phelan, James D. Phelan, James G. Fair, James K. Moffitt |
| Fate | Ownership changed to First Federal Trust Company in 1919 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco , United States |
The Mutual Savings Bank Building, situated at 700 Market Street in San Francisco, is a 12-story skyscraper exemplifying the French Renaissance Revival style. Designed by architect William F. Curlett, its construction was finalized in 1902. Recognized as one of the pioneering skyscrapers in the city, the structure incorporates a steel skeleton, with the lower two floors clad in Raymond granite, while the upper ten floors feature Colusa sandstone, limestone, and terracotta, crowned by a mansard roof. This historic edifice was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 22, 2014.
History
Founded in 1889 by figures including James Phelan, James D. Phelan, James G. Fair, and James K. Moffitt alongside other board members, Mutual Savings Bank sought new headquarters by commissioning William F. Curlett in 1900 to design a building at the intersection of Market and Kearny Streets. Completed in 1902, it ranked as San Francisco’s third-largest building at that time, with construction managed by Mahony Bros.
The structure endured only moderate harm during the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco; restoration efforts were directed by Curlett himself. In 1919, ownership shifted from Mutual Savings Bank to First Federal Trust Company—a branch of First Federal National Bank—before being acquired later that year by the Esberg family. Eventually, George Whittell Sr., a prominent real estate investor and founder of Whittell Realty Company, purchased and administered the property for approximately fifty years.
In 1961, Citizens' Savings & Loan Association acquired both the Mutual Savings Bank Building and the neighboring Flannery Building.
Preservation
In 1964, architect Charles W. Moore was engaged to create a 12-story annex constructed from reinforced concrete, reflecting Modern or early Postmodern architectural influences. Moore successfully convinced investors to retain the original Mutual Savings Bank structure while situating the new addition on the site formerly occupied by the five-story H. P. Flannery Building—a notable decision during an era characterized by High Corporate Modernism when older skyscrapers in San Francisco were frequently demolished.
A decade later, in 2013, architect Charles F. Bloszies developed a ten-story extension designed to respect and preserve the historical character of the 1902 building, conforming to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. Located adjacent to the original Mutual Savings Bank edifice, this addition combines classical architectural elements with metal fins serving as sunshades on its south-facing windows. The rooftop terrace includes a privately owned public open space (POPOS) featuring landscaped gardens and panoramic views of the city.
The Mutual Savings Bank Building’s inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places was formalized in 2014.
See also
External links
- Bank buildings in San Francisco
- Financial District, San Francisco
- Commercial buildings completed in 1902
- National Register of Historic Places in San Francisco
- Bank buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in California
- 1900s architecture in the United States
- Renaissance Revival architecture in California
- 1908 establishments in California