Ferry Building

The Ferry Building stands at the foot of Market Street as a defiant survivor of San Francisco history. When it opened in eighteen ninety eight, it was the largest construction project the city had ever undertaken, serving as the primary gateway for millions of people arriving by train and ferry. Its design was so robust that it remained largely undamaged during the nineteen oh six earthquake and fire, serving as a critical refuge and gathering point while the rest of the city collapsed around it. Even today, the building sits on a forest of timber piles embedded in deep bay mud, a unique foundation that helps the structure ride out seismic shocks that might level buildings on firmer ground.