John Breuner & Company Building, 1515 Clay St Oakland, Alameda County, CA
The John Breuner and Company building is an excellent surviving example of early skyscraper design dating from a period when Oakland`s downtown experienced a dramatic transformation subsequent to the 1906 earthquake. The building contributes to a largely intact and architecturally unified downtown district representative of a significant period in the development of Oakland`s downtown between 1907 and 1929. During this period, a new urban downtown of skyscrapers and department stores constructed of masonry and steel replaced the old downtown of small wood-frame buildings. Arthur J. Mathews, the architect of the John Breuner and Company building, played a significant role in the development of Oakland`s downtown. He designed Oakland`s first skyscraper, 1904 Union Savings Bank, in addition to many other important Oakland buildings during the early twentieth century. Founded in Sacramento in 1856, John Breuner and Company is one of the oldest furniture businesses in California. John Breuner and Company opened what was their second store in Oakland in 1907, and they moved their store to 1515 Clay Street in 1917. This building was their only Bay Area store during their fourteen years at this location. John Breuner and Company (known today as "Breuners") played a significant role in Oakland`s economic history as a major downtown retailer until 1975.
John Breuner & Company Building, 1515 Clay St Oakland, Alameda County, CA
The John Breuner and Company building is an excellent surviving example of early skyscraper design dating from a period when Oakland`s downtown experienced a dramatic transformation subsequent to the 1906 earthquake. The building contributes to a largely intact and architecturally unified downtown district representative of a significant period in the development of Oakland`s downtown between 1907 and 1929. During this period, a new urban downtown of skyscrapers and department stores constructed of masonry and steel replaced the old downtown of small wood-frame buildings. Arthur J. Mathews, the architect of the John Breuner and Company building, played a significant role in the development of Oakland`s downtown. He designed Oakland`s first skyscraper, 1904 Union Savings Bank, in addition to many other important Oakland buildings during the early twentieth century. Founded in Sacramento in 1856, John Breuner and Company is one of the oldest furniture businesses in California. John Breuner and Company opened what was their second store in Oakland in 1907, and they moved their store to 1515 Clay Street in 1917. This building was their only Bay Area store during their fourteen years at this location. John Breuner and Company (known today as "Breuners") played a significant role in Oakland`s economic history as a major downtown retailer until 1975.
Posted Date
Sep 27, 2021
Source Name
Library of Congress
