New-York tribune., 1901-01-20
SAN FRANCISCO HOUSES.
THE RECENT ADOPTION OF OTHER THAN
FRAME CONSTRUCTION - SOME
NOTABLE RESIDENCES.


been rare. Most of the great mansions for
which this city has been famous and which are
known 10 people in the East, either from visits
or from illustration, in the less durable but
rl"re easily worked material. This condition
las given rise to two opposite architectural
tendencies. One has been uniformity in style
where houses have beer built in rows: the other
variety, ranging from picturesqueness to the
most fantastic vagaries. The first departure
from wood made about fifteen years ago.
hat because Of the great and owing 10
local prejudice it has been only within five years
that the innovation found many imtators. Stone
vas employed at first. but this material has
been used in not more than eight or ten houses
AL told. More recently Roman brick and
kiinkcr, or red stock brick. have made their ap-
re2rance. but only one essay has been made in
the employment of terra Gotta. A wide scope is
afforded To the taste of the owners and the skill
Cf the architects of San Francisco by the varied
topography and the favorable location of the
residence portions of the city. The many hills.
the diversity of the grades and the views offered
of bay islands. neighborng mountains or dis
tant serras all play important parts in the Sc
l,ction and treatment OF sites. and every year
being more taken advantage of from the artistic
point of view.
THE FIRST STONE RESIDENCE.
for many years the sole representative of this
building material. is the residence erected by
the late James G Flood. and now occupied by
hi~ daughter Miss Cora Jane Flood. 1t stands
on the plateau of California-st.. vulgary known
Sob Hill. IL is San Franciscan only in its
location and in its architect. All the material
Of the Flood house brought from the East
The exterior is of the brownstone familiar to
:.vN- Workers while the interior is equally of
- ,ba
sirc mansion in the city, and within it is the
iaost elaborate and costly of which san Fran
cisco can boast. Ii occupies half of a block. the
-idence Of Mrs &. T. Huntington built by
General Cotton. filling the remainder OF the
square.
\ block AID u half westward. a slight rise
and croWnins the summit OF California st hill.
stands the home OF William III Crocker. the
youngest Of the late Charles Crocker and
President of the Crocker- Woolworth National
Bank. 1t marked contrast TO its neighbor. |
1he designs were by William Curlett. and the
materials used were a combination Of stone. |
brick and shingie The Interior is rich without
being ostentatious. while IN, outside presents !
artistic feature in beautifully carved female /
head in stone surmounting the exterior chimney
on the west. The William II. Crocker house
possesses the merit Of being one Of the most |
carefully 5uIlt residences il san Francisco. and
since ITS completion a luxuriant growth OF
French Ivy has added greatly To its attractive
ness
~ many competent judge the architectural
)rifnacy is accorded To- the residence OF Claus
SpreCkels. AT Van Ness and C!ay-st. IL is '
built of red sandstone n the style Of the French
Gothic chateau. The construction is of steel and
terra Gotta. being thoroughly nreproof Terra
Gotta is likewise employed in the high rising
roof. which is Of red deep To give the
Impression OF dark brown or even black. The |
main hall occupies the centre Of the house. and
finished in Algerian marble The principal
1ooms are respectively IN Louis NV Louis
Ky and Louis XVI style and the other portions
ST the interior finished III Indian mahogany.
bronZe fence set coping Of red sandstone.
aith bronze gates. surrounds the property Un-
fortunately for the Claus Sprcchels mansion. the
grounds not commensurate in size with the
bui'dnF. and high rising ground in the rear
drtr;.cts from its otherwise magnificent effect
The remaining residences selected for Illus |
tratiou situated on Pacific Heights the most
fashorahIe Iart Of the city. owing to the
superb Views obtained of the Golden Gate and
os,r the bay of san Francisco and the country
extending beyond To the north and the east.
THE WORK OF \ NEW-YOItK ARCHITECT. !
ton and Laruna SITS is the residence OF Henry
J. Cracker, of Romanesque style and built of
lone stone of reddish tint Onyx has been