Folger Coffee Company Building, building in California, United States
The Folger Coffee Company Building is a five-story factory structure built in 1904 in San Francisco featuring Renaissance Revival architecture with red brick walls laid in Flemish bond pattern and a sturdy steel frame. Architect Henry Schulze designed it with classical elements popular in the early 20th century, creating a solid appearance that stands out on Howard Street.
The building was constructed in 1904 and served as the Folger Coffee Company's office, processing plant, and warehouse for importing and roasting coffee beans. Completed just before the devastating 1906 earthquake and fire, it sustained only minor damage and similarly withstood the 1989 earthquake, thanks to its foundation on deep wooden pilings.
The building's name directly references the Folger Coffee Company that once operated here as a major commercial hub. Walking past it today, you notice how the red brick exterior and classical details serve as a physical reminder of when this city was deeply connected to the international coffee trade.
The building is located in downtown San Francisco and is easily accessible on foot, situated in a well-connected urban area. The red brick walls and classical architectural details are clearly visible from the street, allowing you to observe the structure's historic features from outside.
The structure rests on exceptionally long wooden pilings driven deep into soft ground and kept perpetually underwater to prevent rot. This ingenious foundation system made the building extraordinarily stable despite sitting on bay fill, allowing it to survive two major earthquakes with minimal damage.
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