[My SF Past] Inside the 1892 Hibernia Bank

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Gloria Lenhart

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Jun 28, 2015, 6:34:08 PM6/28/15
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The Hibernia Bank on Jones and Mcallister streets was built in 1892. It was the first major project of architect Albert Pissis. The building was expanded in 1905. The building survived the Earthquake of 1906 but was damaged by the fire. The building has stood empty for over 20 years, although the SFPD used the basement as a headquarters from 1990 to 2000 while the Tenderloin Station was being built.



Richard Tobin, an Irishman who arrived in San Francisco during the Gold Rush in1849 was one of the founders of Hibernia Bank which was started in 1859. Hibernia is the Latin name for Ireland. Richard also established one of the oldest law practices in California, Tobin and Tobin, and his four sons later joined him in the firm which for a time had offices on the second floor of this building. Richard’s son Joseph married Constance DeYoung daughter of SF Chronicle founder Michael DeYoung. In the 1990s Hibernia Bank was taken over by Security Pacific and later folded into Bank of America.

Dolmen Property Group, a developer specializing in urban redevelopment, bought the building several years ago and there were rumors that it would become a nightclub. For the past 14 months, Landmark Construction have been working on seismic retrofit and rehabilitation of the historic structure which is set to be completed this fall. Seismic engineering was done by WJE, whose previous San Francisco projects include San Francisco City Hall, Sherith Israel Temple (also by architect Albert Pissis), the cellblock at Alcatraz.

Recently we took a tour of historic Hibernia Bank building organized by WCAPT -- that's the Western Chapter of the Association for Preservation Technology -- and led by Jonathan Pearlman (Elevation Architects), Terrence Paret (Wiss, Janey, Elstner), and Christopher VerPlanck (Ver Planck Historic Preservation Consulting) and a very knowledgeable person from Landmark Construction. Thanks to everyone for putting on this tour. Can't wait to see the finished building this fall!

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Powered by Cincopa Video Hosting for Business solution.Hibernia Bank RenovationThe Hiberna Bank at Jones and McAllister in San Francisco, built in 1892, is now being renovated.Hiberna BankHibernia Bank survived two earthquakes but has stood empty for 20 years.flash 16cameramake NIKONheight 1560camerasoftware COOLPIX S51V1.0originaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 1942cameramodel COOLPIX S51ColumnsThe 30 ft Corinthian columns are each carved from one single piece of California granite.flash 25cameramake Panasonicheight 4000orientation 6camerasoftware Ver.1.1 originaldate 6/25/2015 10:31:41 PMwidth 3000cameramodel DMC-ZS6Hibernia Bank Entrance MedallionMarble medallion in entrance portico.flash 16cameramake Panasonicheight 3000orientation 1camerasoftware Ver.1.1 originaldate 4/2/2015 8:29:49 PMwidth 4000cameramodel DMC-ZS6Main VaultThe main banking hall retains its gilded splendor.flash 16cameramake Panasonicheight 2308camerasoftware Ver.1.1 originaldate 4/2/2015 9:21:59 PMwidth 2669cameramodel DMC-ZS6Main VaultOriginal time lock mechanism in main vault.flash 25cameramake Panasonicheight 3000orientation 1camerasoftware Ver.1.1 originaldate 6/25/2015 9:09:54 PMwidth 4000cameramodel DMC-ZS6Banking Hall addition 1905This 1905 addition to the banking hall includes an oval skylight.flash 16cameramake Panasonicheight 3000orientation 1camerasoftware Ver.1.1 originaldate 6/25/2015 10:27:07 PMwidth 4000cameramodel DMC-ZS6Glass skylight under domeGlass skylight under the main dome.flash 16cameramake Panasonicheight 3000orientation 1camerasoftware Ver.1.1 originaldate 4/2/2015 8:51:25 PMwidth 4000cameramodel DMC-ZS6Ceiling in Hibernia officesOrnate ceilings in office areas. Chandeliers were removed for rehab.flash 25cameramake Panasonicheight 3000orientation 1camerasoftware Ver.1.1 originaldate 6/25/2015 9:36:04 PMwidth 4000cameramodel DMC-ZS6FireplaceCarved marble fireplaces in bank offices.flash 16cameramake Panasonicheight 3000orientation 1camerasoftware Ver.1.1 originaldate 4/2/2015 9:27:41 PMwidth 4000cameramodel DMC-ZS6DoorwaysOrnate door frames are metal.flash 25cameramake Panasonicheight 1836camerasoftware Ver.1.1 originaldate 6/25/2015 9:33:17 PMwidth 2754cameramodel DMC-ZS6Hibernia DomeThe dome, once gilded, is now aged copper. flash 24cameramake Panasonicheight 3000orientation 1camerasoftware Ver.1.1 originaldate 4/2/2015 10:17:36 PMwidth 4000cameramodel DMC-ZS6SkylightsSkylights are everywhere.flash 25cameramake Panasonicheight 3000orientation 1camerasoftware Ver.1.1 originaldate 6/25/2015 9:51:29 PMwidth 4000cameramodel DMC-ZS6Basement with arched ceilingBasement level has cast iron columns and arched brick ceiling.flash 16cameramake Panasonicheight 3000orientation 1camerasoftware Ver.1.1 originaldate 6/25/2015 10:17:21 PMwidth 4000cameramodel DMC-ZS6Protected stairwaysPlywood covers protect marble and bronze stairways during rehab. flash 16cameramake Panasonicheight 3000orientation 1camerasoftware Ver.1.1 originaldate 6/25/2015 9:49:27 PMwidth 4000cameramodel DMC-ZS6Granite drillingSeismic retrofit required drilling cores from the granite walls.flash 24cameramake Panasonicheight 3000orientation 1camerasoftware Ver.1.1 originaldate 4/2/2015 10:26:04 PMwidth 4000cameramodel DMC-ZS6Warped BeamsOriginal steel beams warped by 1906 fire.flash 25cameramake Panasonicheight 3000orientation 1camerasoftware Ver.1.1 originaldate 4/2/2015 10:01:54 PMwidth 4000cameramodel DMC-ZS6

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Posted By Gloria Lenhart to My SF Past at 6/28/2015 03:34:00 PM

Gloria Lenhart

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Jun 29, 2015, 8:44:53 PM6/29/15
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The Hibernia Bank on Jones and McAllister streets was built in 1892. It was the first major project of architect Albert Pissis. The building was expanded in 1905. The building survived the Earthquake of 1906 but was damaged by the fire. The building has stood empty for over 20 years, although the SFPD used the basement as a headquarters from 1990 to 2000 while the Tenderloin Station was being built.



Richard Tobin, an Irishman who arrived in San Francisco during the Gold Rush in1849 was one of the founders of Hibernia Bank which was started in 1859. Hibernia is the Latin name for Ireland. Richard also established one of the oldest law practices in California, Tobin and Tobin, and his four sons later joined him in the firm which for a time had offices on the second floor of this building. Richard’s son Joseph married Constance DeYoung daughter of SF Chronicle founder Michael DeYoung. In the 1990s Hibernia Bank was taken over by Security Pacific and later folded into Bank of America.



Dolmen Property Group, a developer specializing in urban redevelopment, bought the building several years ago and there were rumors that it would become a nightclub. For the past 14 months, Landmark Construction have been working on seismic retrofit and rehabilitation of the historic structure which is set to be completed this fall. Seismic engineering was done by WJE, whose previous San Francisco projects include San Francisco City Hall, Sherith Israel Temple (also by architect Albert Pissis), the Cellblock at Alcatraz.




Recently we took a tour of historic Hibernia Bank building organized by Kelly Wong of WCAPT-- that's the Western Chapter of the Association for Preservation Technology -- and led by site managers from Wiss, Janey, Elstner engineering and Landmark Construction. Thanks to everyone for putting on this tour. Can't wait to see the finished building this fall!



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