New York City’s famous Building Clock Window Apartment that gained so much attention when Esquire made it their Ultimate Bachelor Pad in 2011, now has a stiff competitor on the West Coast.
San Francisco’s historic clock tower was constructed in 1907 and the large building complex that supported it became the West Coast’s largest printing company by 1921. The owner of the business, Max Schmidt, decided to construct a penthouse level in the clock tower where natural light poured in from all four sides of the clock faces so that his lithographers would find it easier to work. In 1930, the plan for the new Bay Bridge was solidified, which would require tearing down a portion of the printing buildings, including the clock tower. Schmidt would have none of that and used his clout, threatening to move his business to the other side of the bay. The city, unwilling to lose their largest business, gave in and agreed to take the highway around Schmidt’s complex and the tower was saved. In 1992, the old factory was repurposed into 127 contemporary live/work lofts and offices. Commuters have come to depend on the clock as they travel to and from work each day.
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Now for the first time in almost a quarter of a century, the penthouse is for sale. The sleek contemporary condo with spectacular city views measures in at a spacious 3,000 square feet of living space, including a room inside the clock itself and has large terraces providing outdoor space for lounging or entertaining. The two-bedroom, two-bath residence has been designed to optimize the loft spaciousness with hardwood and polished concrete floors and built-in bookcases that become part of the brick and concrete structure following the lines of the beams. Built on four levels, included are a gourmet kitchen with top-end appliances, living and dining rooms with French doors to the terrace, office, game room, library, large master suite and the clock room.
San Francisco’s historic registered Landmark Clock Tower four story penthouse loft apartment with conversation piece furnished room inside the clock is listed at $8.5 million.
