San Francisco Point of Historic Interest: California Electric Building
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5 November 2023
California Electric Building
A contributory building within the South End Historic District, designated by the City and County of San Francisco in 1990. The warehouse and industrial buildings from the District's period of significance (1867-1935) reflect the City's preeminence during that time as an international port and the center of Pacific Coast commerce. This building served as an electric generating plant through 1895. It survived the Great Earthquake and Fire of 1906, and has had a variety of uses since then. The 140 foot octagonal brick smokestack served as a visual landmark of the historic district until 1995 when seismic safety required its removal.
166-178 Townsend Street
Percy and Hamilton, Architects, 1888/1906
AKA Arc Light Apartments
166-178 Townsend Street
Built 1888
The California Electric Building supplied direct current (DC) electricity to San Francisco for arc lighting. Over the years, it housed a hay barn, a warehouse and a repair shop.
In 2012, ninety-four loft-style apartments were stacked on top of the building. The expanded property was renamed Arc Light Apartments.