Flood Building

The Flood Building stands as a 12-story office structure at the corner of Market and Powell Streets, featuring a gray sandstone exterior and original marble interiors throughout. The building contains retail spaces, professional offices, nonprofit organizations, and government consulates distributed across multiple floors.

James L. Flood constructed this building in 1904 as a memorial to his father, and it survived the devastating 1906 earthquake that destroyed much of the city. Its survival made it a symbol of the city's resilience during that catastrophic period.

The name reflects the prominent Flood family's influence in San Francisco's early history. The building remains an active workspace where different professions and organizations have created communities over the decades.

The building sits in a central downtown location with easy public transit access and nearby shops and restaurants. Visitors can view the public lobby and corridors without entering private office spaces.

Writer Dashiell Hammett worked as a detective in this building before becoming famous, and the experience directly inspired his novel The Maltese Falcon set in the city. The corridors and offices helped shape his vision of the crime story.

Location: San Francisco

Inception: 1904

Architects: Albert Pissis

Floors above the ground: 12

Elevators: 5

GPS coordinates: 37.78490,-122.40700

Latest update: December 10, 2025 15:47