Amazing Architecture in Union Square
I always enjoy checking out unique architecture when I travel. While I am usually drawn more towards modern design, it is also incredibly interesting to learn about and see historic buildings. Learning about the various types of architecture can be a fun, educational opportunity that will allow you to dive deep in the the culture of the city you are visiting. San Francisco compared to someplace like Europe will offer a much different experience when it comes to the types of buildings and materials that you can find. With the city of San Francisco being a lot “younger” than a lot of cities on the East coast or throughout Europe, the styles are a little more concentrated. Additionally, a lot of structures, which would have become beautiful historic examples that you would be able to see today, were destroyed during the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake. There were a lot of important places that survived the fire, but since the rebuilding of San Francisco started after 1906, you will find a lot more examples of Art Deco, Victorian, Edwardian, etc.
In Union Square, you can find some amazing examples of Beaux-Arts, Classical Revival, Neoclassical, Art Deco and other interesting styles that blend together to complete the eclectic look of the area. Below are some places to check out if you want to dive into the Architecture of Union Square. Some of these places have a interesting history, so if you want a more in-depth tour, do a little research before you go.
Union Square Architecture
The Palace Hotel
Architectural Style: Beaux-Arts
A historic icon of luxury and opulence, The Palace Hotel has stood as a testament to San Francisco’s resilience and elegance since 1875. Rebuilt after the 1906 earthquake, the hotel’s Garden Court is a breathtaking space with a stained-glass ceiling and crystal chandeliers, making it one of the city’s most stunning interiors. Known for hosting presidents, royalty, and celebrities, The Palace blends Gilded Age grandeur with modern sophistication.
The Palace Hotel is designed in the Beaux-Arts style, a grand architectural movement that flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Characterized by ornate details, symmetry, classical influences, and monumental scale, the hotel features marble columns, intricate moldings, and grand chandeliers—most notably in the stunning Garden Court.
Address
2 New Montgomery St
San Francisco, CA 94105
The Frank Lloyd Wright Building
Architectural Style: Organic Arts
Tucked away on Maiden Lane near Union Square, this hidden architectural gem is the only Frank Lloyd Wright-designed building in San Francisco. Built in 1948, the structure—originally designed as the V.C. Morris Gift Shop—features a striking brick façade and a graceful, curved ramp, which served as an early prototype for Wright’s design of the Guggenheim Museum in New York. Today, it remains a stunning example of organic architecture, seamlessly blending nature-inspired design with urban sophistication.
This building is a prime example of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Organic Architecture, a style that emphasizes natural harmony, fluidity, and integrated design elements. The structure’s curved brick façade and interior spiral ramp reflect Wright’s belief in continuous movement and unity between form and function.
Address
155 Maiden Ln
San Francisco, CA 94108
The Westin St. Francis Hotel
Architectural Style: Beaux-Arts
Opened in 1904, this luxurious hotel is a Union Square icon. Its grand exterior & ornate interiors reflect the opulence of early 20th-century San Francisco. The hotel’s Tower Building, added in the 1970s, features glass elevators with panoramic views of the city.
Address
335 Powell St
San Francisco, CA 94102
Flood Building
Architectural Style: Classical Revival
Standing as a timeless landmark on Market Street, the Flood Building is one of San Francisco’s last remaining Beaux-Arts commercial structures. Completed in 1904, the 12-story granite-clad building was one of the tallest in the city at the time and remarkably survived the 1906 earthquake and fire. Its classical symmetry, grand arched windows, and ornate cornices are hallmark features of Beaux-Arts architecture, a style known for its elegant proportions and intricate detailing.
Originally commissioned by James Clair Flood, a wealthy silver baron, the building has housed major tenants over the decades, including Woolworth’s and The Gap, while maintaining its historic charm. Today, it remains a striking presence in Union Square, a rare architectural survivor that bridges San Francisco’s past and present.
Address
870 Market St
San Francisco, CA 94102
450 Sutter Building
Architectural Style: Art Deco
Designed by architect Timothy Pflueger in 1929, this 26-story masterpiece features intricate Mayan Revival details and a sleek, modern design. The lobby’s decorative carvings and gold accents are a must-see.
Address
450 Sutter St
San Francisco, CA 94108
Union Square Park and Dewey Monument
Architectural Style: Neoclassical
Union Square Park serves as a historic gathering place in San Francisco, blending urban landscape design with classical architectural elements. Originally established in 1850, the square has evolved into a public space, surrounded by some of the city’s most iconic hotels & retail stores. The park itself is a prime example of Beaux-Arts urban planning, featuring symmetrical layouts, neatly arranged pathways and open plazas designed to encourage public interaction.
At its center stands the Dewey Monument, a Corinthian-style column crowned by a bronze statue of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, sculpted by Robert Aitken in 1903. The 40-foot granite column, reminiscent of classical Roman and Greek triumphal monuments, was erected to commemorate Admiral George Dewey’s victory at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War. With its blend of neoclassical grandeur and civic symbolism, Union Square remains an essential landmark.
Address
333 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94108
The Monadnock Building
Architectural Style: Beaux-Arts
Built in 1907, this elegant office building is known for its ornate terracotta façade and classic proportions. It reflects the grandeur of San Francisco’s post-earthquake rebuilding efforts.
Address
685 Market St
San Francisco, CA 94105
The Hallidie Building
Architectural Style: Early Modern
Designed by Willis Polk in 1918, this building is celebrated as one of the first to feature a glass curtain wall. It’s named after Andrew Hallidie, inventor of the cable car.
Address
130 Sutter St
San Francisco, CA 94104
The Geary Theater (American Conservatory Theater – ACT)
Architectural Style: Beaux-Arts
Originally opened in 1910, this historic theater features ornate detailing and has been home to the American Conservatory Theater since 1967. Its recent restoration highlights its grand interior design.
Address
415 Geary St
San Francisco, CA 94102
Neiman Marcus Building
Architectural Style: Beaux-Arts and Modern
Perched at the corner of Geary and Stockton Streets, the Neiman Marcus Building in San Francisco is an example of modern commercial architecture, seamlessly incorporating one of the city’s most beloved historic elements, the Rotunda Dome from the former City of Paris department store. The building that was completed in 1983, showcases contemporary design, featuring a curved glass façade that contrasts with the ornate classical grandeur of the Beaux-Arts dome inside.
The most beautiful feature of the building is The Rotunda, a magnificent glass & steel Art Nouveau-style dome originally constructed in 1909. The dome, with its stained-glass panels, intricate floral motifs, and elaborate detailing, is a rare surviving piece of early 20th-century design in San Francisco. Saved from demolition in the 1980s due to public outcry, it now serves as an architectural centerpiece within Neiman Marcus, housing an elegant restaurant beneath its breathtaking skylight.
Address
150 Stockton St
San Francisco, CA 94108
Sir Francis Drake Hotel (Beacon Grand)
Architectural Style: Gothic Revival
Opened in 1928, the hotel is known for its dramatic spires, vintage charm & luxurious lobby. It’s a striking example of San Francisco’s roaring 20s art & culture.
Address
450 Powell St
San Francisco, CA 94102
One Kearny Building
Architectural Style: Beaux-Arts
Built in 1902 and expanded in 1909, this corner building seamlessly blends historical charm with modern additions, including a rooftop garden.
Address
1 Kearny Street
San Francisco, CA 94108
St. Francis Hotel Clock Tower
Architectural Style: Gothic Revival
This iconic clock tower atop the Westin St. Francis is a charming feature that has become a symbol of Union Square’s historic character.
Address
335 Powell Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
