The Churrigueresque architectural style was originated by Spanish architect and sculptor, José Benito de Churriguera (1665–1725). The style integrates sculpture and architecture. Façades incorporate statues, floral motifs, broken pediments, undulating cornices, reversed volutes, balustrades, stucco shells, and garlands. According to Britannica, "restraint was totally abandoned in a conscious effort to overwhelm the spectator."

California Churrigueresque was derived from Mexican churches and was popularized by the 1915 Panama–California Exposition. Most high rise apartments built in the affluent neighborhoods of Nob Hill, Russian Hill and Pacific Heights during the 1920s and 1930s incorporated Churrigueresque elements. Some examples are 1800 Broadway, 1945 Broadway and Bellaire Tower.

In the Netflix series, A Man on the Inside, the exterior views of the Pacific View Retirement Residence were filmed at 1201 California Street.