TJPA
26 Sunday Sep 2010
Posted Planning
in26 Sunday Sep 2010
Posted Planning
in26 Sunday Sep 2010
Posted Around the neighborhood
in19 Sunday Sep 2010
Posted Around the neighborhood
in19 Sunday Sep 2010
Posted Around the neighborhood
inThis is the very popular Anchor & Hope restaurant, located in an old machine shop building at 83 Minna Street.
This building WILL NOT be demolished for the new Transit Center. Although I originally thought that the John Colins bar location, which is right behind (and attached) to the building and fronting on Natoma Street, was part of the demolition, it turns out that although TJPA bought out the lease, the building will remain.
If you are in the neighborhood, stop into Anchor & Hope for a meal, and you have time to enjoy the extremely interesting decor. There are old lantern lights, ropes, and other items that reflect the old docks and fishing industry of San Francisco’s port. I especially light the blinking red lantern light that is sometimes turned on. I will try to post a video of it here.
19 Sunday Sep 2010
Posted Around the neighborhood
inThis is a front view of the building where the “Emerson Flag Company” sign is located (on the west side). The address is 161-165 Natoma Street.
Apparently this building is owned by the Myers family, who owns the building next door on the left. Their firm is L. Myers Company, and their website is hospitalitylinens.com. I have had a few nice chats with Andy who works there, and discussed the planned expansion of SFMOMA, which will not affect their buildings directly, but of course the years of construction in the area will be disruptive. The L. Myers building to the left of this photo is the only building on the block that extends over to Howard Street, where the storefront for the business has its address.
19 Sunday Sep 2010
Posted Demolition
in19 Sunday Sep 2010
Posted Natoma Street Blues
inThis the old location of John Colins lounge. The TJPA bought out the lease of this establishment, and I do believe the original plan was to demolish this building. I now understand that it the building will remain, but it was a good decision to have the business relocate, since Natoma Street will need to be closed right at this spot for a number of years during construction.
I will try to post a photo of the place when it was still actually John Colins. Apparently it functioned as a “pop-up” restaurant for a short period after the lounge vacated the building.
19 Sunday Sep 2010
Posted Natoma Street Blues
inIn the old days, we used to buy refreshments for meetings that we were hosting, and a convenient place to get them as the Natoma Cafe. I imagine that the phone company was very good for this restaurant, as both 140 New Montgomery and 666 Folsom had thousands of Pacific Bell employees working in the neighborhood.
This is where the Natoma Cafe was located. I cannot tell for certain, but it appears that there are some sort of offices here now. What is unusual is that I never, ever see anyone entering or leaving the building. I have some information that I will try and retrieve regarding the architect of this building, as it far newer than the others here, and I understand it has been considered for designation as a significant architectural resource.
One interesting fact — there is a local radio station located on the top floor. Radio KEST 1450 AM is called “Personal Growth Radio. I need to listen in someday soon and learn more about their programming. It was also a bit charming to see this on their website: When you call in on the listener line, you will be warmly greeted by Kwong!
19 Sunday Sep 2010
Posted Around the neighborhood
inIn the old days, I would ride BART to work in the very early morning (6 a.m.), and as I exited the Montgomery Street station and trundled down Third Street toward my office, I would pass this bar called “Jerry & Johnny” at the corner of Third and Mission Streets.
It was in the ground floor of a beautiful old place called the Williams Building, which was constructed in 1907 soon after the earthquake and fire. And even at 6:00 a.m., there were guys in their starting their morning off with a little liquid breakfast. I understand it was a “newspaper bar”, so perhaps those old gents were former reporters or pressmen. Or more likely just denizens of the old Third Street.
The building was supposedly so damaged by the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989 that it was red-tagged, and Jerry&Johnny closed forever. I am unable to find virtually anything regarding that old place. If anyone remembers it or has interesting stuff to relate — do tell.
The good news is that the Williams Building was saved from demolition and incorporated into the design and construction of the St. Regis Hotel and condo tower that was built on the site in 2001-2005. I wonder if the spirits of Jerry or Johnny or any of their patrons perhaps still wander the halls of that old building late at night, just to reminisce about the old days.
19 Sunday Sep 2010
Posted Around the neighborhood
inI remember walking past the House of Shields in the old days, when I was so unfamiliar with the neighborhood and was only interested in the getting onto BART to go home as quickly as possible every evening.
I don’t know when it closed down, but it has been shuttered for a few years now. Apparently, their MAY be someone interested in refurbishing it and trying their luck with it. I hope that is the case, as it grand old place.