San Francisco City Hall (San Francisco, California)

 interesting place, city hall, Beaux-Arts (architecture)

San Francisco City Hall has often been referred to as "The Crown Jewel" of the finest ensemble of classical architecture in America. It was originally opened in 1915, and is now designated a national landmark. Many regard it as one of the most important buildings in America. The architect was Arthur Brown Jr., who also designed San Francisco"s Opera House, Veterans Building, Temple Emanuel, Coit Tower and 50 United Nations Plaza. The first thing one notices is the massive size of City Hall, which encompasses 2 full city blocks. Its dome is one of the largest in the world, rising 306 feet above the civic center national historic district. The building itself totals over 500,000 square feet.

In 1989, City Hall, along with many other buildings, was damaged in the Loma Prieta earthquake. City Hall is now the largest base-isolated building in the world and the only isolated National Historic Landmark. It has now been designed to remain operational even after a great earthquake.

The orgasmically-resplendent public light courts on the main floor of the building have been restored to their original design with elegant marble walls and skylights spanning the entire 7,000 square foot spaces. These two light courts allow for a wide variety of events and exhibits to take place in the building. Between these two light courts is the marble staircase in its original magnificence which extends through the main lobby. It is similar to the one in the Palazzo Reale di Napoli in Italy.

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