Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
historic place
The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, a significant historic place in San Francisco County, began its operations in 1914. Its first permanent headquarters, the Old Federal Reserve Bank Building, was completed in 1924 at 400 Sansome Street. Architect George W. Kelham designed this structure, which features an Ionic colonnade in the Beaux-Arts style, complemented by Moderne elements in its upper sections. Inside, the banking lobby showcases murals by artist Jules Guerin. For nearly sixty years, this building served as the Federal Reserve's West Coast hub, overseeing monetary policy and banking supervision across nine western states. In 1983, the bank relocated to a larger facility. The Old Federal Reserve Bank Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. It remains an important example of monumental banking architecture from the early 20th century in San Francisco.