George Adrian Applegarth
Birth dateOctober 4, 1875
Birth placeOakland, California, U.S.
Death dateJanuary 19, 1972 (aged 96)
Death placeSan Francisco, California, U.S.
Burial placeHoly Cross Cemetery, Colma, California, U.S.
EducationUniversity of California, Berkeley,
École des Beaux-Arts
OccupationArchitect
SpouseGwendolyn Powers

George Adrian Applegarth (October 4, 1875 – January 19, 1972) was an American architect.[1] Applegarth’s career included designing the California Palace of the Legion of Honor, the Clift Hotel (now The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel), and projects for the town of Clyde, California. He co-founded the architectural firm, MacDonald & Applegarth.

Early life and education

Applegarth was born on October 4, 1875, in Oakland, California, to parents Henrietta Anne (née Sanders) and John Applegarth.[2] His mother was born in Walcot, Somerset, England, and his father was born in Canada.[2] George H. Sanders, of the architectural firm Wright & Sanders was his maternal uncle;[3][4] and John Arnold Sanders, a noted English painter and sculptor, was his maternal grandfather.[2]

He graduated from Oakland High School; and began his career as a draughtsman for Wright & Sanders in San Francisco, while he studied drawing at the University of California, Berkeley under Bernard Maybeck.[5][6] Applegarth continued his training at École des Beaux-Arts in Paris (degree in April 1906),[5][6] where he met his future work partner Kenneth A. MacDonald Jr.[5]

Career

He returned to the United States after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fires. In 1907, Applegarth obtained his architecture license in California.[3] From 1907 until 1912, he was part of the architecture firm MacDonald & Applegarth, a collaboration with his former classmate.[5]

Around 1917, he helped in the construction of Clyde, California, once a company town built for the employees of the Pacific Coast Shipbuilding Company.[6] Bernard Maybeck led the project, and it was funded in part by the United States government loan.[6]

He was a fellow of the American Institute of Architects, and for a period of time served as president of the San Francisco chapter.[5]

Personal life and death

Applegarth was married to Gwendolyn Powers (1889–1981),[2] together they had three children.[7]

He died on January 19, 1972, while in a hospital in San Francisco.[7][8]

List of notable buildings

Architecture works by George Adrian Applegarth
YearNameFirmLocationNotes
1907Eyre Building, 161 Kearny StreetSan Francisco, California[4]
1907Metropolis Trust and Savings Bank, 623–631 Market StreetSan Francisco, California[4]
1907St. Andrew Hotel, 438 Post StreetSan Francisco, California[4]
1908Forrest Building, 1053–1055 Market StreetSan Francisco, California[4]
1908Phoenix Building, 220–228 Grant AvenueSan Francisco, California[4]
19083 Presidio TerraceMacDonald & ApplegartPresidio, San Francisco, California[9]
19084 Presidio Terrace, MacDonald HouseMacDonald & ApplegartPresidio, San Francisco, California[9]
19085 Presidio Terrace, Dr. Hartland Law HouseMacDonald & ApplegartPresidio, San Francisco, California[9]
1909Eastern Outfitting Company Building, 1017–1021 Market StreetApplegarthUnion Square, San Francisco, California[10]
1913Clift Hotel (The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel), 495 Geary StreetMacDonald & ApplegartTenderloin, San Francisco, California[11]
c. 1912–1913Spreckels Mansion, 2080 Washington StreetMacDonald & ApplegarthPacific Heights, San Francisco, CaliforniaBuilt for businessman Adolph B. Spreckels.[12]
1912King George Hotel, 334 Mason StreetMacDonald & ApplegarthUnion Square, San Francisco, California[13]
19162775 Vallejo StreetApplegarthPacific Heights, San Francisco, California[14][15]
19162785 Vallejo StreetApplegarthPacific Heights, San Francisco, California[4]
1919Oceanic BuildingApplegarthSan Francisco, Californiawas demolished in 1979, and replaced by 101 California Street[4]
1953Downtown Center Garage (now Mason O'Farrell Garage), 325 Mason StreetApplegarthUnion Square, San Francisco, California[16]

References

  1. ^ "George A. Applegarth papers, 1908-1970.". Online Archive of California. Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  2. ^ Michelson, Alan. "George Adrian Applegarth (Architect)". Pacific Coast Architecture Database (PCAD)
  3. ^ Alexander, Dick (1971-08-18). "Built Better: He Made His Mark Upon S. F.". The San Francisco Examiner. p. 68. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  4. ^ "Bay Area Architects: George Applegarth". noehill.com. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  5. ^ "Architect Wednesday: MacDonald & Applegarth". Coronado Historical Association. 2020-08-26. Retrieved 2023-05-29.
  6. ^ "Applegarth, George". UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design. Retrieved 2023-06-03.
  7. ^ "Obituary for GEORGE APPLEGARTH". The San Francisco Examiner. 1972-01-20. p. 47. Retrieved 2023-06-03.
  8. ^ "Death takes famed architect". The Peninsula Times Tribune. 1972-01-20. p. 19. Retrieved 2023-06-03.
  9. ^ Wiley, Peter Booth (September 26, 2000). National Trust Guide / San Francisco: America's Guide for Architecture and History Travelers. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 9780471191209. – via Google Books.
  10. ^ "Grand Illusion". FoundSF. Retrieved 2023-06-03.
  11. ^ Michelson, Alan. "PCAD - Kenneth MacDonald Jr.". Pacific Coast Architecture Database (PCAD). Built Environments Library, University of Washington.
  12. ^ Bevk, Alex (2014-11-25). "Behind the Hedges and Inside the History of Danielle Steel's Spreckels Mansion". Curbed SF. Archived from the original on February 27, 2016.
  13. ^ Michelson, Alan. "PCAD - King George Hotel, Tenderloin, San Francisco, CA". Pacific Coast Architecture Database (PCAD). Built Environments Library, University of Washington.
  14. ^ "Nextdoor Co-Founder Lists $25M George Applegarth-Designed San Fran Home". Cottages & Gardens. 2020-08-13. Retrieved 2023-06-03.
  15. ^ "Breathtaking Renaissance Mansion in Pacific Heights, $25M". California Home+Design. Retrieved 2023-06-03.
  16. ^ "George Applegarth". ArtAndArchitecture-SF.com. Retrieved 2023-06-03.