Havens was born in New York and moved to California in 1856. As City Architect of San Francisco for twelve years, he designed many schools, none of which survive.

Toepke was a San Francisco native. He entered the office of William Mooser in 1886 to study architecture. Havens hired Toepke in 1890. In 1897, they formed a partnership which lasted until 1915.

Two Havens & Toepke buildings are San Francisco landmarks, the Flatiron Building on Market Street and the Havens Mansion on South Van Ness Avenue. Their Contra County Courthouse Block is listed on the National register of Historic Places.

The Maskey Building was demolished in 1986. Part of the facade was saved and glued onto the new 22-story building named 88 Kearny Street.

You can view Havens & Toepke buildings in chronological order here, or use a link in the following table to visit a specific property.