The Matson Building is defined by its exterior of deep, earthen-toned terra cotta, ornamented with intricate, ocean-themed reliefs of dolphins, waves, and seashells. Built in nineteen twenty-three as the headquarters for the Matson Navigation Company, it served as the nerve center for trade routes connecting San Francisco to Hawaii and the South Pacific. Captain William Matson insisted the office design reflect the spirit of his shipping empire. Employees once processed cargo manifests while gazing at lobby tiles depicting Polynesian outrigger canoes.
Matson Building
historic
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