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| 101 California, site of the 1994 massacre. |
As I stood on the south side of Market, waiting to meet my
son for lunch, I noticed a beautiful modern building across Market and a block
to the left. It was 101
California,
aka the
Itel Building,
or the
Hines Building
(not related to the ketchup). Late 20
th
century architecture is often bland, boring, sometimes ugly, and sometimes
impractical (e.g., the Student Center at SF State U.). But not 101
California
(opened in 1982). It’s beautiful! It immediately held my gaze. Actually, I was looking at the back of the
building, for the front was a short block away on
California
Street. I walked
across Market and wanted to enter the building. Given our post-911 mindset, I immediately wondered if I would be
turned away before the door closed behind me (as sometimes happens). As I approached, I noticed activity going on at the other side of the building. So I went there first. I found a large patio area with a long (very
long) line of people waiting to enter the Xxxxxxx Bar for lunch. The patio area prefaces the true front of
the building at 101 California. After checking out the
menu and walking briefly inside the restaurant/bar (where the food looked
delicious!), I went ahead and entered the 101
California
lobby. What a wonderful surprise to find
a spacious lobby in a seven-story glass enclosed atrium! Equally wonderful is the outstanding
indoor garden of tropical plants. Most are in huge pots with plants about 10-12 feet high. Both plants and pots are exquisite! From locations around the world from
Panama
to
Madagascar
to
Lord Howard
Island (wherever that is), the
quality and variety of the plants rivals those at the Conservatory of Flowers at
Golden
Gate Park. But without the Conservatory’s humidity.
What I failed to
realize, however, was that 101 California is the site of the infamous massacre on July
1, 1994. Some of you will
remember that horrible day. Some of you
are not familiar with it. I remember
when it happened. I recall watching the
massive news coverage on TV. Back then
it was usually referred to as “The 101 California Massacre.” But all these years later I had forgotten the
address, for which I now feel a little sheepish. But from now on I won’t forget. And, as for the garden in the
atrium/lobby? That garden is a memorial
to the eight lives lost in the massacre.
If you find yourself in that part of town, I highly recommend a walk through the lobby. ◊
As for why the building is so beautiful: It was designed by famed architects Philip
Johnson and John Burgee.
To get there: Three blocks from the Ferry Building at Market &
Davis, or California & Davis
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