George Applegarth Explained

George Adrian Applegarth
Birth Date:4 October 1875
Birth Place:Oakland, California, U.S.
Death Place:San Francisco, California, U.S.
Burial Place:Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, California, U.S.
Education:University of California, Berkeley,
Occupation:Architect
Spouse:Gwendolyn Powers
Children:3

George Adrian Applegarth (1875 – 1972) was an American architect.[1] Applegarth’s career included designing the California Palace of the Legion of Honor, the Clift Hotel (now The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel), and projects for the town of Clyde, California. He co-founded the architectural firm, MacDonald & Applegarth.

Early life and education

Applegarth was born on October 4, 1875, in Oakland, California, to parents Henrietta Anne (née Sanders) and John Applegarth.[2] His mother was born in Walcot, Somerset, England, and his father was born in Canada. George Sanders, of the architectural firm Wright & Sanders was his maternal uncle;[3] [4] and John Arnold Sanders, a noted English painter and sculptor, was his maternal grandfather.

He graduated from Oakland High School; and began his career as a draughtsman for the Wright & Sanders in San Francisco, while he studied drawing at the University of California, Berkeley under Bernard Maybeck.[5] Applegarth continued his training at in Paris (degree in April 1906), where he met his future work partner Kenneth A. MacDonald Jr.

Career

He returned to the United States after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fires. In 1907, Applegarth obtained his architecture license in California. From 1907 until 1912, he was part of the architecture firm MacDonald & Applegarth, a collaboration with his former classmate.[6]

Around 1917, he helped in the construction of Clyde, California, once a company town built for the employees of the Pacific Coast Shipbuilding Company. Bernard Maybeck led the project, and it was funded in part by the United States government loan.

He was a fellow of the American Institute of Architects, and for a period of time served as president of the San Francisco chapter.

Personal life and death

Applegarth was married to Gwendolyn Powers (1889–1981), together they had three children.[7]

He died on January 19, 1972, while in a hospital in San Francisco.[8]

List of notable buildings

Architecture works by George Adrian Applegarth!Year!Name!Firm!Location!Notes
1907Eyre Building, 161 Kearny StreetSan Francisco, California
1907Metropolis Trust and Savings Bank, 623–631 Market StreetSan Francisco, California
1907St. Andrew Hotel, 438 Post StreetSan Francisco, California
1908Forrest Building, 1053–1055 Market StreetSan Francisco, California
1908Phoenix Building, 220–228 Grant AvenueSan Francisco, California
19083 Presidio TerraceMacDonald & ApplegartPresidio, San Francisco, California[9]
19084 Presidio Terrace, MacDonald HouseMacDonald & ApplegartPresidio, San Francisco, California
19085 Presidio Terrace, Dr. Hartland Law HouseMacDonald & ApplegartPresidio, San Francisco, California
1909Eastern Outfitting Company Building, 1017–1021 Market StreetApplegarthUnion Square, San Francisco, California[10]
1913Clift Hotel (The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel), 495 Geary StreetMacDonald & ApplegartTenderloin, San Francisco, California[11]
c. 1912–1913Spreckels Mansion, 2080 Washington StreetMacDonald & ApplegarthPacific Heights, San Francisco, CaliforniaBuilt for businessman Adolph B. Spreckels.[12]
1912King George Hotel, 334 Mason StreetMacDonald & ApplegarthUnion Square, San Francisco, California[13]
19162775 Vallejo StreetApplegarthPacific Heights, San Francisco, California[14] [15]
19162785 Vallejo StreetApplegarthPacific Heights, San Francisco, California
1919Oceanic BuildingApplegarthSan Francisco, Californiawas demolished in 1979, and replaced by 101 California Street
1953Downtown Center Garage (now Mason O'Farrell Garage), 325 Mason StreetApplegarthUnion Square, San Francisco, California[16]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: George A. Applegarth papers, 1908-1970. . 2023-05-30 . Online Archive of California . Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
  2. Web site: Michelson . Alan . George Adrian Applegarth (Architect) . Pacific Coast Architecture Database (PCAD).
  3. News: Alexander . Dick . 1971-08-18 . Built Better: He Made His Mark Upon S. F. . 68 . . 2023-05-30.
  4. Web site: Bay Area Architects: George Applegarth . 2023-05-30 . noehill.com.
  5. Web site: Applegarth, George . 2023-06-03 . UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design . en-US.
  6. Web site: 2020-08-26 . Architect Wednesday: MacDonald & Applegarth . 2023-05-29 . Coronado Historical Association.
  7. News: 1972-01-20 . Obituary for GEORGE APPLEGARTH . 47 . . 2023-06-03.
  8. News: 1972-01-20 . Death takes famed architect . 19 . . 2023-06-03.
  9. Book: Wiley, Peter Booth . National Trust Guide / San Francisco: America's Guide for Architecture and History Travelers . September 26, 2000 . John Wiley & Sons . 9780471191209 . Google Books.
  10. Web site: Grand Illusion . 2023-06-03 . FoundSF.
  11. Web site: Michelson . Alan . PCAD - Kenneth MacDonald Jr. . Pacific Coast Architecture Database (PCAD) . Built Environments Library, University of Washington.
  12. Web site: Bevk . Alex . 2014-11-25 . Behind the Hedges and Inside the History of Danielle Steel's Spreckels Mansion . Curbed SF . en.
  13. Web site: Michelson . Alan . PCAD - King George Hotel, Tenderloin, San Francisco, CA . Pacific Coast Architecture Database (PCAD) . Built Environments Library, University of Washington.
  14. Web site: 2020-08-13 . Nextdoor Co-Founder Lists $25M George Applegarth-Designed San Fran Home . 2023-06-03 . Cottages & Gardens . en-US.
  15. Web site: Breathtaking Renaissance Mansion in Pacific Heights, $25M . 2023-06-03 . California Home+Design . en-US.
  16. Web site: George Applegarth . 2023-06-03 . ArtAndArchitecture-SF.com.