An Overview of the Clock Tower Penthouse

Rob Levy and Eric Turner of Compass are pleased to present a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to live within San Francisco’s most visible and historic clock tower. Perched high above South Park, a burgeoning epicenter of industry and technology that embodies San Francisco’s South of Market neighborhood, the Clock Tower penthouse is available for purchase from its original owner who has curated it for over a quarter century. Owning this amazing penthouse also comes with exclusive use of the top three adjoining levels, including the interior of the famous tower and the “Clock Room” itself, plus an enormous wrap-around view deck.

Imagine taking in panoramic views of The City while the sun casts a bronze glow on the brick buildings of South Beach. Host a lavish dinner party in the spacious formal gathering areas, entertain your guests on the expansive wrap-around view deck, then retire to the library for refreshments while witnessing a dazzling fireworks display over Oracle Park after a Giants victory. Move the soiree up to the game room for recreational pastimes and end the evening taking in the “Clock Room” to experience the glow within, as the sunset bathes the four clock-faces in luminance then fades to night. After dark, the iconic clock faces come to life yet again, illuminated by the tower’s eye-catching spotlights. Maintenance of the tower and the clocks themselves is conveniently done by the building’s homeowners association.

Now considered the crown jewel of the Clocktower Building, the penthouse residence presents a spacious and open living arrangement that is ideal for comfortable living, in-home work needs, and entertaining. The residence spans over 3,000 square feet and features hardwood and concrete flooring throughout, original brick and concrete walls, exposed steel structural beams, automated window shades, and fine appliances in the gourmet kitchen. Vaulted ceilings expand the dimensions, custom-built cabinetry and shelving offer abundant storage spaces, and wide walls of view windows imbue a true feeling of openness throughout the design.

The sun-filled living room shares a glass-enclosed fireplace with the elegant formal dining room, both of which are appointed with the finest materials and finishes. The main-level master bedroom suite includes a spa bath and dressing room, and a second main-level bedroom also has an en suite bath with peek-a-boo view windows designed to specifically capture the industrial feel and outlook of the original Schmidt design studio. A second-level office boasts lofty ceilings and around-the-compass views, as does the third-level game room complete with Dirty Harry pinball machine with the iconic Bay Bridge graphics facing out to the actual Bay Bridge! The fourth level is comprised of the actual “Clock Room,” an amazing, dramatic space behind the clock faces that exposes the gears of the tower’s four ticking clocks – a truly unique gathering point that will impress all who experience it.

Outside, the exclusive use wrap-around roof deck has beautiful vistas of San Francisco and presents a lovely setting for large scale entertaining or quiet contemplation. With views in all directions, the penthouse looks out to a sweeping panoramic that encompasses The Bay, downtown San Francisco, Oracle/Giants Park, Sutro Tower-Twin Peaks, and Bernal Hill. Completing the appeal of this rare and unique property is its incredible location in the heart of SOMA-SouthBeach – one of The City’s most inspiring places to live – at the center of the tech 2.0 universe with easy access to fine dining, art galleries, cultural attractions, parks, Giants baseball stadium, entertainment venues, and plenty of transportation routes. Experience the best of city living at its absolute finest in this one-of-a-kind historic home.

A History of the Building

Originally constructed in 1907, the six-story, two-block industrial structure at Second and Bryant streets has long been known as “The Clocktower Building.” But it was actually first built without the iconic Clock Tower. In 1921, the site became headquarters to the Max Schmidt Lithography Company – the largest printing company on the west coast at the time and one of America’s great “label houses.” The Schmidt Company designed and produced many classic California fruit box labels and a number of posters for the Panama Public International Expedition. Circa 1922, Mr. Schmidt added a rooftop-accessible penthouse unit. It was intended as an exclusive light-filled artist’s studio to be used only by the company’s professional lithographers. Up here, above the hustle and bustle of the city, the expansive views were framed by walls of glass, providing an abundance of sunlight and consummate privacy for the staff artists to complete their illustrations. Crowning the penthouse was a 10-story, four-sided steel-frame clock tower with operational clock-faces on each side. The clock tower was nearly demolished when the Bay Bridge viaduct was constructed in the 1930s, but Schmidt threatened to take his successful business to the East Bay if the tower was touched. Thankfully, city officials relented and redesigned the viaduct plans to preserve the tower.

The Schmidt Lithography Company is now gone from San Francisco, but the iconic Clock Tower has since become the everyday timepiece for Rincon Hill residents and commuters on the Bay Bridge. The building is even considered an official San Francisco landmark by The Landmarks Preservation Advisory board and has been named a “Contributory Building to the South End Historic District.” In 1992, the factory underwent a tremendous change when San Francisco architect David Baker and the McKenzie, Rose, & Halliday development firm converted the entire brick-and-timber structure into 127 live/work condominiums and commercial office spaces. The retrofitting and upgrades cost more than $33 million and the spaces were arranged around three landscaped courtyards. Today, the district complex maintains its historic character, evoking the same scale and industrial grandeur that was once commonplace in the South End.

A Look Back:

When it was originally purchased by the current owners in 1993, all four levels of the penthouse were unimproved and in their original raw state. Being the first residents, the current owners were able to work from a blank canvas to create a true urban sanctuary that enjoys exclusive stairway access to the entire tower. The space was retrofitted by architect David Baker, and after three years of renovation and several hundred thousand dollars in repairs and upgrades, the penthouse was completed in 1997. Modern upgrades included new tower windows, heating, ventilation systems, a gas fireplace, and a completely re-envisioned floor plan with all new materials, finishes and fixtures. A second renovation was completed in 2014 by General Contractor Paul Stricklin, which brought the residence into the 21st century.

Features of the Clock Tower Penthouse