Hallidie Building
- Address: 130 Sutter St
The Hallidie Building is a steel-frame structure with glass facade and masonry side walls, having eight stories with high ceilings typical of loft Buildings. The street elevation is internationally significant in its anticipation of the glass curtain wall, one of the first clear expressions of such. The frame has cantilevered floors so there are no columns at the facade, the curtain wall being supported by four columns placed behind the glass front.
The entire front is beautifully subdivided into glass panels which are balanced against fret-like cornices and stair balconies. The iron lacework cornices (at the second, third and eighth floors( join ornate balconies at the extremities masking fire escapes on each floor, and the whole is surmounted by a similarly detailed primary cornice. The intricate lacy iron ornamentation thus provided is Victorian Gothic in style and appears to be integral to the overall design despite the modernity of the basic concept. - NRHP