Hallidie Building

The Hallidie Building, in San Francisco

The Hallidie Building is a historic building of the financial district of San Francisco, a pioneer of the glass façade. The San Francisco audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this innovative building, a witness of the architectural audacity of the town.

The pioneer of the glass façade

In the financial district of San Francisco, where you admire numerous historic buildings, the Hallidie Building occupies a special place. Built at the beginning of the twentieth century, it is considered one of the very first buildings in the world equipped with a glass curtain wall, that is to say an entirely glazed façade suspended in front of the structure. This architectural innovation, adorned with fine ironwork decorations, announced the modern glass skyscrapers. The building bears the name of Andrew Hallidie, the inventor of the Cable Car of the town. The Hallidie Building is a major milestone in the history of architecture.

What to see

You admire the entirely glazed façade of the Hallidie Building, one of the very first glass curtain walls in the world, adorned with fine ironwork, in the financial district. The building is a major milestone in the history of architecture, which announced the modern skyscrapers. It is a stop for those curious about architecture, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Hallidie Building lies in the financial district of San Francisco, reachable on foot. You admire its façade from the street; it is a building whose access follows its own uses. You discover it during a walk in the city centre.

What is particular about the Hallidie Building in San Francisco?

It is one of the very first buildings in the world equipped with a glass curtain wall, an entirely glazed façade suspended in front of the structure, which announced the modern glass skyscrapers; it bears the name of the inventor of the Cable Car.

Where is the Hallidie Building?

In the financial district of San Francisco, in the United States.