Chambord Apartments

The Chambord Apartments stands out on the crest of Nob Hill for its fluid, sculptural facade that appears to defy the rigid geometry of the surrounding city streets. Architect James Francis Dunn designed the building in 1921, drawing heavy inspiration from the ornamental Beaux-Arts style of Paris. His vision was so distinct that people often mistakenly credit the undulating, cloudlike balconies and seashell-canopied entrance to the famous Spanish architect Antonio Gaudi. Even though the building is small, it became a trendsetter for the wave of luxury apartment construction that defined the Nob Hill skyline throughout the 1920s.