Audiffred Building

The Audiffred Building is a three-story office structure at Mission Street and Embarcadero in San Francisco, built with brick and fluted cast iron columns. Its wood-framed mansard roof features diamond-patterned tiles and the ground floor now contains a restaurant.

Built in 1889 in Second Empire style, the structure survived the 1906 earthquake when firefighters protected it after receiving whiskey from a nearby saloon bartender. This moment of unexpected help became a turning point in the building's survival story.

The building served as a gathering place for waterfront workers and labor organizations that shaped local politics through the decades. Its role in the labor movement remains part of how locals understand this waterfront location.

The building sits directly on the waterfront near the Ferry Building and is easy to reach on foot while strolling along the Embarcadero. Visiting combines well with other waterfront attractions, and the ground floor offers the chance to stop for a meal or drink.

The cast iron columns on the ground floor feature capitals shaped like the letter 'A' with floral patterns, commissioned in 1928 by the Bank of Italy. These carefully designed details show how craftsmanship and business identity merged in this structure.

Location: San Francisco

Architectural style: Second Empire architecture in Europe

GPS coordinates: 37.79333,-122.39139

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:03