Evening Zephyr
I usually photograph concerts, but tonight I was booked to shoot at Hotel Zephyr, covering their Launch Party. I worked at home during the day, and took BART to Market Street—I’d rather have walked the whole way to Zephyr and the Embarcadero, but I needed all of my hours!
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The Financial District in the evening is interesting—all of the business people on the move at the end of their days, and soft evening light on the grand, imposing buildings.
The Hobart Building reflected in the window of the Wells Fargo on Montgomery Street —I’ve always enjoyed the tiny gargoyles that keep on eye on the perimeter…
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This is usually my vantage when I walk through this part of town, and yes, I’ve run into people and things before because I’m so busy looking up!
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This pretty thing was originally built to house Mining Exchange in 1923, and has been home to traders of some sort ever since. It’s been vacant for a few decades, but after a lengthy planning and approval process, it will become incorporated into the facade of one of the last skyscrapers to be added to the Financial District (no more room!)…
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I was really happy to learn the developers are especially interested keeping the building intact, and it will be used as the main lobby and a reception hall for events. The new tower is set to be completed in 2017, and will include public rooftop gardens (win!)…
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Speaking of looking skyward at tall buildings…
The relatively young (1969) 555 California buidling is the 2nd tallest building in San Francisco:
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When you walk past it at street level, that distinction is unsurprising; it feels so much taller than any of the surrounding buildings.
The windy plaza in front of the building at the corner of California and Kearny with it’s equally massive flagpoles:
(click me to expand and zoom and scroll)
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Continuing on up Columbus, through North Beach and past the Jack Kerouac Alley…
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City Lights Bookstore (wish I had time to browse the stacks)…
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Sidewalk cafes and fading light on Columbus Avenue…
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The iconic Italian-flag painted light posts in North Beach…
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Pretty houses along Powell Street…
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I was trying to stop taking pictures and run along to my gig, but these hand-painted house numbers using Oldstyle figures were too nice to pass up…
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We’re so spoiled with beautiful architecture in this city. I might go into Victorian withdrawals, especially, if ever move someplace else…
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Nice color and texture palette…
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At the Hotel Zephyr! The staff was super nice and threw a great party in their outdoor space. They hired Red Hots and Fou Fou Ha and lots of other local circus and burlesque performers to entertain the crowd. Some snaps of the art pieces and the event in their outdoor patio…
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Shoot accomplished, and had to run off through North Beach and back to Market to catch a cab to my night job…
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Everything looks pretty at golden hour…
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Intersection at Columbus and Kearny, seen from in front of Cafe Zoetrope…
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California Street, last light…
Where should I go tomorrow?
- MILES WALKED: about 6
- NEIGHBORHOODS: Financial District, North Beach, Embarcadero
- DESIGNATED LANDMARKS: The Hobart Building (no. 162), Mining Exchange (no. 113), City Lights Bookstore (no. 228)
