Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Old Chronicle BuildingRitz-Carlton Club and Residences |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Former names | Chronicle Building |
| Alternative names |
|
| Record height | |
| Preceded by | Palace Hotel |
| Surpassed by | Call Building |
| General information | |
| Status | Complete |
| Type | Residential condominiums |
| Architectural style | Richardsonian Romanesque Modernism |
| Location | 690 Market Street San Francisco, California |
| Coordinates | 37°47′18″N 122°24′12″W / 37.788302°N 122.403209°W |
| Construction started | 1888 |
| Completed | 1890 |
| Renovated | 1906, 1962, 2005 |
| Height | |
| Roof | 312 ft (95 m) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 24 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Burnham and Root |
| Designated: | 2004 |
| Reference #: | 243 |
The Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences is a tall, fancy building in San Francisco, California. It's a luxury skyscraper where people live. This building is special because it's built on top of the historic Old Chronicle Building. People sometimes call it the de Young Building. It was finished way back in 1890. This building was actually the very first skyscraper ever built in California! It stands about 312-foot (95 m) high.
Contents
History of the Building
Building a Landmark
In 1888, a man named M. H. de Young owned a newspaper called the San Francisco Chronicle. He wanted a special building for his newspaper. So, he asked a famous architecture firm, Burnham and Root, to design it.
The building was finished in 1890. It was called the Chronicle Building. It had ten floors and a tall clock tower that reached 218 feet (66 m) high. This made it San Francisco's first skyscraper. It was also the tallest building on the West Coast at that time.
Fire and Rebuilding
In 1905, there was a celebration for Mayor Eugene Schmitz. Fireworks were set off in front of the building. Some fireworks hit the wooden clock tower and set it on fire. The damaged clock tower had to be removed.
After that, de Young added two more floors along Market Street. He also added a 16-story section along Kearny Street. The building was strong enough to survive the big 1906 San Francisco earthquake. But a huge fire followed the earthquake. This fire badly damaged the inside of the building.
The building was rebuilt by architect Willis Polk. He worked for Burnham and Root in San Francisco. In 1924, the Chronicle newspaper moved to a new location. The old Chronicle Building then became a regular office building. From then on, it was known as the de Young Building or the Old Chronicle Building.
Modern Changes and Restoration
In 1962, the owners wanted to make the building look more modern. They covered the original stone front with new materials. These included aluminum, glass, and porcelain panels.
By 2004, new owners got permission to bring back the building's original look. They also planned to change the building into homes. They added eight more stories to the top. In 2004, the Old Chronicle Building was named San Francisco Landmark No. 243. This means it's an important historic place. The building opened again in November 2007. It became the Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences.
Images for kids
-
Old Chronicle Building in 1901
-
The Old Chronicle Building after the 1906 earthquake and fire
-
Old Chronicle Building in 1915
-
Entrance to the Old Chronicle Building (left) and the Palace Hotel, around 1915
-
The de Young Building (left) as it looked with its modern outside from 1962 to 2005
See also
In Spanish: Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences para niños
