The Montgomery Block ('Monkey Block') - 19th-century artists' lofts

The Montgomery Block, commonly called the 'Monkey Block,' was built in 1853–1854 at 628 Montgomery Street and became a well-known hub for lawyers, journalists, artists, and Bohemian cultural life in San Francisco. The cast-iron/stone commercial building was celebrated for its offices and studios that supported the city's 19th- and early-20th-century creative communities. Despite its cultural importance, the building was demolished in 1959 as downtown redevelopment proceeded, and its history is documented in accounts of San Francisco's architectural and artistic past. The site is frequently cited in studies of lost historic urban fabric in the city.