NBC Radio City Building
San Francisco, California
1999 and 2006
The above view of the NBC Radio City Building in San Francisco was taken in November 1999. While it appeared nearly the same as the 1942 photo at first glance, the building’s exterior showed signs of neglect and wear. The building was unused except for the parking garage. The front door was boarded shut. Windows and glass brick panels had been boarded up.
A renovation project was begun on the building in 2000, to convert it into more office space for a burgeoning city. The interior has been gutted and is being completely rebuilt. The glass brick panels disappeared in favor of conventional windows. Fortunately, the owners and architects decided to retain the mosaic mural and art deco lobby as remnants of the building’s historic past. The lobby will be carefully restored to its original splendor.
Above, a view of the building as it appeared in 2006, at 420 Taylor Street, when it served as the headquarters for ABM Industries, a building maintenance and janitorial services company.
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