Russ Building

Identification

Map

Structure in general

Usage

Facts

• The interior is exquisitely detailed with the finest materials and finishes featuring granite floors and marble wainscoting, elevator lobbies with ornate area rugs, and pendant light fixtures.
• The building has been carefully maintained and periodically refurbished so that it offers a modern office environment within a classic and meticulously preserved structure.
• The Russ Building is a California State Historic Landmark located in the heart of the San Francisco Financial District fronting the entire block of Montgomery Street between Pine and Bush Streets.
• The building has a neo-Gothic architectural design giving it a stately appearance compared to the neighboring contemporary structures.
• It is a steel frame building with a curtain wall constructed of terra cotta tile and brick.
• Called "The Skyscraper" after opening.
• First in city to have indoor parking garage.
• Named for Emanuel Charles Christian Russ, who arrived in the city in March 1847 - 80 years before the tower's opening. He bought the land on which the present-day building is located for $75.
• Unfounded claims: upon completion it never was the largest, or the tallest, office building west of Chicago, as popularized to this day. The largest was 180 East Fifth and the tallest was the Smith Tower.
• San Francisco's tallest building from 1927-1964. Both the 140 New Montgomery Street (1925) and Russ Building were the exact height to the foot, but Russ had more floors and was in the heart of the financial district. Russ succumbed to 44 Montgomery.
• Modeled after Chicago's Tribune Tower.