Royal Insurance Building (San Francisco) Explained

Royal Insurance Building
Map Type:United States San Francisco Central#California#USA
Pushpin Label:Royal Insurance Bldg
Address:201 Sansome Street
Location City:San Francisco, California
Coordinates:37.7923°N -122.4013°W
Completion Date:1907
Destruction Date:-->
Architect:Howells & Stokes
Unit Count:-->

The Royal Insurance Building is a former office building located at 201 Sansome Street, San Francisco, California, and now converted to condominiums.

History

It is a San Francisco Designated Landmark (#160), built in 1907 to designs by architects Howells & Stokes. Its facade and marble entryway sculpture appears to be very similar to that of the former Royal Insurance Building at William Street and Maiden Lane in New York City, designed by the same architect. The sculpture is apparently by Rochette and Parzini. It is crowned by a clock, supported by the lion and unicorn, with English roses and Scottish thistles, and the motto "Tutum te sistam". Two cartouches contain the Liver bird to the left, representing Liverpool, and a cross and dagger to the right.

Howells & Stokes, who were located in New York City, sent Seattle architect Abraham H. Albertson as their representative to supervise the construction.

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