Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Company Building


Recently renovated and gilt to the hilt indoors, this 1925 building made architect Timothy Pflueger’s reputation with its black-marble deco lobby and soaring, streamlined shape. Winston Churchill made his first transatlantic telephone call here in 1929, but ironically the tower now seems to interfere with cell-phone coverage. Notice the cable-like lines running right up the building, past stylized telegraph insulators to fierce stone eagles. Today it’s the headquarters of review site Yelp, and home to Morocco-moderne restaurant Mourad.

Transportation

  • muni: Montgomery
  • bus: 14
  • bart: Montgomery

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

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