Van Ness Street, San Francisco Photos

This broad street was once a promenade of mansions until the 1906 earthquake forced its use as a firebreak & every structure on the east side was dynamited. There remain significant Victorian houses to the west. Van Ness itself became an apartment & business street where owners & car dealers vied to have the most attractive buildings.

See also: San Francisco & Bay Area
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British Motors (originally Earle C. Anthony Packard) showroom (1928) (901 Van Ness at Olive). Style: Greek Revival. Architect: Bernard Maybeck.

Two styles of auto showroom on Van Ness.

Auto showroom (c1938) (999 Van Ness at O'Farell). Style: Moderne.

Cadillac Building.

Cadillac Showroom (aka Don Lee Building) (1921) (1000 Van Ness). Architect: Weeks & Day. On National Register.

Upper floor detail of Cadillac Building.

Portal of Cadillac Building.

Golden bear statue on Cadillac Building.

Glass step pyramidal cinema building at Van Ness & Sutter.

Former auto showroom (1301 Van Ness at Sutter). Style: Secessionist.

Modern apartment at Van Ness & Pine.

Modern apartment (1601 Van Ness at California).

Paige Motor Car Company showroom (1699 Van Ness at Sacramento). On National Register.

Three Gothic apartment Buildings (1725-45 Van Ness at Clay).

Academy of Art University in former auto showroom (1849 Washington at Van Ness).


All photos on this page are originals by & copyrighted by Jim Steinhart.
All rights reserved. Permission required to use.