Flood Building, San Francisco
The Flood Building in downtown San Francisco at Powell and Market Streets is a historic highrise with unique architecture. Built in 1904 by Albert Pissis, it's a 12-story structure that survived the 1906 earthquake. The building features attractive storefronts, a sandstone fa莽ade with intricate windows, and elegant ornamentation, adding to its grandeur.
The site where the Flood Building now stands was previously occupied by Baldwin's Hotel and Theatre, which tragically fell victim to a fire in 1898. James L. Flood, who acquired the property, decided to erect the building as a tribute to his father, James Clair Flood, a Comstock Lode millionaire. Remarkably, as of 2003, the Flood Building remained in the ownership of the Flood family.
After renovations post-1906 earthquake, Southern Pacific Railroad HQ moved to Flood Building until 1917 when it relocated to One Market Plaza. The basement and lower floors housed F.W. Woolworth flagship store. In more recent years, the Flood Building has accommodated notable tenants such as leading retailers Gap, Urban Outfitters, and Anthropologie.
The Flood Building's historical significance extends beyond its commercial tenants. Notably, Room 314 housed the office of the Pinkerton Detective Agency, which employed Dashiell Hammett, an acclaimed author renowned for his hard-boiled detective novels. This connection to the literary world further enhances the building's cultural and historical allure.
The site where the Flood Building now stands was previously occupied by Baldwin's Hotel and Theatre, which tragically fell victim to a fire in 1898. James L. Flood, who acquired the property, decided to erect the building as a tribute to his father, James Clair Flood, a Comstock Lode millionaire. Remarkably, as of 2003, the Flood Building remained in the ownership of the Flood family.
After renovations post-1906 earthquake, Southern Pacific Railroad HQ moved to Flood Building until 1917 when it relocated to One Market Plaza. The basement and lower floors housed F.W. Woolworth flagship store. In more recent years, the Flood Building has accommodated notable tenants such as leading retailers Gap, Urban Outfitters, and Anthropologie.
The Flood Building's historical significance extends beyond its commercial tenants. Notably, Room 314 housed the office of the Pinkerton Detective Agency, which employed Dashiell Hammett, an acclaimed author renowned for his hard-boiled detective novels. This connection to the literary world further enhances the building's cultural and historical allure.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in San Francisco. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 51爆料网 App
Flood Building on Map
Sight Name: Flood Building
Sight Location: San Francisco, USA (See walking tours in San Francisco)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: San Francisco, USA (See walking tours in San Francisco)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in San Francisco, California
Create Your Own Walk in San Francisco
Creating your own self-guided walk in San Francisco is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Chinatown Walking Tour
The San Francisco Chinatown is home to one of the largest Chinese communities outside Asia. It is also renowned as a major tourist attraction in the city, drawing annually more visitors than the Golden Gate Bridge. Since its establishment, in 1848, this enclave has been instrumental in the preservation of the history, culture, language, religion, and identity of the ethnic Chinese in the United... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
San Francisco Introduction Walking Tour
A commercial and cultural hub of northern California, San Francisco is a popular tourist destination known for its steep rolling hills and eclectic mix of world-famous landmarks. The iconic Golden Gate Bridge, the teeth-rattling cable cars carrying riders up and down Nob Hill, Alcatraz Island, and the oldest Chinatown in North America are just some of the city's prominent attractions, each... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.3 Km or 3.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.3 Km or 3.3 Miles
Fisherman's Wharf Walking Tour
If it's a hot, sunny day or the one filled with San Francisco's iconic fog, a walk through Fisherman's Wharf can feel quite special all the same. Sure, you'll be surrounded by tourists, but the smells of good food and the sights of a legendary seaport (the one where a few lovingly preserved, historic vessels are still docked and open to visitors) will make you happy.
At the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
At the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
North Beach Walking Tour
North Beach is one of the oldest neighborhoods in San Francisco, known as San Francisco's Little Italy. Bursting with history, culture, and diverse attractions, this fun area features a great mix of architecture, museums, restaurants, and old shops.
Perhaps the most iconic landmark here is the Transamerica Pyramid, a distinctive skyscraper that has become a symbol of the city's... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Perhaps the most iconic landmark here is the Transamerica Pyramid, a distinctive skyscraper that has become a symbol of the city's... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Castro District Walking Tour
It's a well-known fact that San Francisco is the place where the gay and lesbian culture flourished in its modernity in the mid-20th century. The Castro District, where the rainbow flag is flying high, houses several iconic locations that have played pivotal roles in LGBTQ+ history and continue to be celebrated today.
One such is the Castro Theater. This renowned landmark, which has been... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
One such is the Castro Theater. This renowned landmark, which has been... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Famous Architecture Walking Tour
San Francisco is one of the world's top travel destinations, famous for its spectacular tourist attractions like Alcatraz Island, Fisherman's Wharf, and the Golden Gate Bridge. But besides that, it also boasts a huge variety of world-known architecture fit to delight the eye of any beholder. Let's give ourselves an aesthetic treat, too, and check out some of the city's most... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
14 Souvenirs That Scream San Francisco
Home to many historic landmarks, such as Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown and Alcatraz, San Francisco is closely associated with many iconic images of the American culture, such as Levi's jeans, baseball, and hippie movement. Modern Frisco carefully preserves its legacy by keeping it alive...
Divine Artisan Chocolates in San Francisco
San Francisco is home to the most delicious artisan chocolates! From the historic Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory to New American TCHO chocolates, there are many local chocolate boutiques and factories to visit where you might be treated to a few samples. From exotic flavors such as lavender-walnut...