140 New Montgomery

140 New Montgomery is a historic Art Deco skyscraper located in the South of Market district of San Francisco, California. Completed in 1925, it was originally the headquarters for the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company and for decades was the tallest building in the city. The structure is celebrated for its ornate architectural details and has been adaptively reused as a prominent office and commercial space in the 21st century.

History

The building was commissioned by the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company, a subsidiary of the AT&T monopoly, to serve as its corporate headquarters for the Western United States. Its construction coincided with a period of rapid growth for San Francisco following the 1906 earthquake and the city's hosting of the Panama–Pacific International Exposition in 1915. Upon its completion, it surpassed the Shell Building to become the tallest structure in the city, a title it held until the completion of the Russ Building in 1927. The building's prominence made it a central hub for telecommunications operations on the West Coast throughout the mid-20th century. After Pacific Bell vacated the premises in the late 1980s, the building underwent a significant period of vacancy and decline before being purchased and meticulously restored by developer Boston Properties in the early 2000s, leading to its designation as a San Francisco Designated Landmark.

Architecture

Designed by renowned architect Timothy L. Pflueger, the structure is a masterwork of the Art Deco style, incorporating influences from the earlier Chicago School and the Gothic Revival. The exterior is clad in granite and terracotta, featuring intricate geometric patterns, stylized floral motifs, and setbacks characteristic of the era's skyscraper design. Notable elements include the grand, multi-story lobby with its vaulted ceiling, ornate bronze elevator doors, and extensive use of marble and aluminum detailing. The building's crown, illuminated at night, is a distinctive feature of the San Francisco skyline. Pflueger's design for the building is often compared to his other iconic San Francisco works, such as the Pacific Coast Stock Exchange and the Castro Theatre.

Tenants and uses

Following its restoration, the building has become a prestigious address for technology and creative firms, reflecting the transformation of the surrounding SoMa neighborhood into a major tech hub. It has served as the headquarters for several high-profile companies, including Yelp, which occupied multiple floors for over a decade. Other significant tenants have included the San Francisco Business Times, the Architectural Foundation of San Francisco, and various venture capital firms and startups. The ground floor houses retail and restaurant spaces, contributing to the area's vibrant street life. The building's event spaces and preserved historic lobbies are also frequently used for gatherings by organizations like the San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association.

In popular culture

The building's striking Art Deco facade and historic significance have made it a recognizable location in film and television. It has been featured in several movies set in San Francisco, including the 1978 remake of *Invasion of the Body Snatchers*, where it appears in downtown scenes. The building's lobby and exterior have also been used in episodes of the television series Nash Bridges and The Streets of San Francisco. Its iconic status is frequently noted in architectural guides and histories of the city, such as those published by the California Historical Society.

See also

* Timothy L. Pflueger * Art Deco architecture of New York City * List of tallest buildings in San Francisco * History of San Francisco * American Telephone and Telegraph Company

Category:Skyscrapers in San Francisco Category:Art Deco architecture in California Category:Office buildings completed in 1925