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San Francisco Flatiron Building

Explore San Francisco's historic Flatiron Building, a unique architectural gem in the heart of the Financial District. A testament to the city's innovative spirit.

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Located in San Francisco's Financial District, the Flatiron Building is a ten-story, triangular-shaped structure completed in 1913. Officially designated Landmark #155, it's a captivating example of early skyscraper design adapted to the city's unique urban landscape.

A brief summary to Flatiron Building

  • 1 Sutter St, San Francisco, Financial District, California, 94104, US
  • +1415-765-1532

Local tips

  • Visit early in the morning for fewer crowds and better photo opportunities.
  • Explore the surrounding Financial District, with its mix of shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions.
  • Check out nearby landmarks like the Transamerica Pyramid and the Ferry Building.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From Union Square, walk northeast on Geary Street towards Market Street. Turn right onto Market Street, and continue for a few blocks. The Flatiron Building will be on your right at the intersection of Market and Sutter Streets. The walk is approximately 0.3 miles and should take about 5-10 minutes.

  • Public Transport

    From Powell Station, take any Muni Metro line (J, K, L, M, N, T) one stop to Montgomery Station. Exit the station and walk northeast on Market Street for one block. The Flatiron Building will be on your right at the intersection of Market and Sutter Streets. Single ride fare is $3.00 cash or $2.85 with Clipper card.

  • Taxi/Ride-Share

    From the Ferry Building, a taxi or ride-share to the Flatiron Building will be a short trip. Direct your driver to 540 Market Street at the intersection of Sutter Street. The ride is approximately 1.5 miles and should take about 5-10 minutes, depending on traffic. The estimated cost is $15-20.

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Discover more about Flatiron Building

San Francisco's Flatiron Building, located at 540 Market Street, is a captivating architectural landmark in the heart of the Financial District. Completed in 1913, this ten-story structure stands as a testament to early skyscraper design adapted to San Francisco's unique urban landscape. Flatiron buildings emerged in North American cities during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a direct response to diagonal streets intersecting with traditional grid systems. San Francisco became a notable hub for these distinctive buildings. The name "Flatiron" comes from the resemblance these structures bear to clothes irons of the era. The San Francisco Flatiron, designed by Havens & Toepke, is one of the most distinctive examples of its kind along Market Street. While numerous flatiron buildings once dotted the area north of Market, many were lost to the 1906 Earthquake and Fire, or later replaced by modern high-rises. This makes the survival and preservation of the Flatiron Building significant. The building's skeletal structure showcases an adaptation to its unusual shape, employing a Gothic architectural treatment that is rare for San Francisco. Tripartite bays are separated by slender piers of reinforced concrete, meticulously scored to mimic masonry. A cantilevered cornice, adorned with Gothic pendants, is believed to have served as a prototype for Willis Polk's Hallidie Building, constructed just a block west in 1917. The Flatiron Building has housed a variety of tenants over the years and was featured in the opening credits of the 1980s detective series "Crazy Like a Fox".

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