rare original mounted runnels and stateler construction photographic image of burnham and root's of old chronicle building, located 690 market street, san francisco, ca.

rare original mounted runnels and stateler construction photographic image of burnham and root's of old chronicle building, located 690 market street, san francisco, ca.

It was the tallest building on the west coast at the time of its construction.

the building was originally comprised of pressed red brick, sandstone, and terra cotta. it originally featured a prominent four-story bronze clock tower that stood 218 feet tall.

the clocktower was destroyed in november 1905 after being ignited by fireworks during a mayoral victory parade.

while the building survived the 1906 san francisco earthquake, its interior was gutted by subsequent fires. it was rebuilt by willis polk, who headed burnham's san francisco office, without the original clock tower.

in 1962 the building historic masonry was concelaed with a "slipcover" of white enamel and aluminum panels to give it a contemporary look.

in 2007 it underwent a massive restoration that removed the 1962 metal cladding and revealed the original facade.

the building reopened shortly thereafter as the ritz-carlton club and residences with an eight-story addition differentiated from the historic structure by tan concrete panels.

courtesy of bld. 51 archive.