[7] It was one of the first commercial buildings to be completed following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, leading to a rebirth of the city's financial district.

[9] The Bank of California, a key financial institution in the West, was founded by William Chapman Ralston on July 5, 1864.

Renowned architects Walter Danforth Bliss and William Baker Faville were commissioned to design a grand new building on the same site.

In January 1906, the bank relocated temporarily to prepare for the construction of its impressive new headquarters.

On September 8, 2008, the historic building was rededicated on its 100th anniversary by Union Bank of California President and CEO Masakki Tanaka, along with San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.