200 Powell Street, Historic building in Union Square, San Francisco, US

200 Powell Street is a 1913 commercial building in Union Square with three levels and about 8,000 square feet of retail space across ground, second, and basement floors. Its original terracotta parapet was recreated in modern materials during a full restoration, keeping the historic facade while meeting current safety codes.

The building was constructed in 1913 during the early commercial development of this part of downtown. Its major restoration in 2008 revived the original architectural details and adapted the structure for contemporary use while respecting its historic character.

The building sits at a busy corner of the city where shops and foot traffic create a working commercial space. Its restored facade with period details adds to the neighborhood's character and shows how older structures remain active in San Francisco's downtown today.

The building sits at the corner of Powell and Geary Streets, a central crossroads with good access from multiple directions. Its location on a busy corner makes it easy to find and convenient to reach when exploring or shopping in the area.

The 2008 restoration replaced the original terracotta parapet with glass-fibre-reinforced concrete shaped to match the old profile, a swap that adds earthquake resistance without changing the roofline. Look up at the cornice to see the recreated cresting.