Austin Klar traces the Palace of Fine Arts from its 1915 debut as a Roman-inspired ruin at San Francisco's post-earthquake exposition to near-demolition and eventual 1960s restoration. The 17-acre landmark now anchors the Marina with a lagoon and theater where the fairground once stood.
Did you know we almost lost one of San Francisco's most iconic architectural treasures to history? The Palace of Fine Arts was initially built as part of an effort to create a massive World's Fair-like event that would showcase the best of San Francisco and celebrate its rebuilding after the 1906 earthquake and fires. Designed by Bernard Mabec as a fictional ruin from another time, inspired by Roman and ancient Greek architecture, the building was one of 10 exhibitions at the site designed as a pass-through for crowds traversing from one part of the fairground to another. It was mostly torn down after the exposition and used as a storage depot during during World War II, but thankfully it was rebuilt in the '60s and '70s with the theater that stands today being added to the Expo Building and Exhibit Hall. The grounds today cover 17 acres and include a small lagoon next door to some of the most stunning Marina residences. Share this with someone who would love the palace's history and follow me for more San Francisco real estate.
