CC SA-BY Our Oakland
The Sullivan Building is located at 1621-29 Telegraph Avenue. Architect John J. Donovan designed this Beaux Arts derivative loft building in 1924 and constructed by Barrett & Hilp. It is currently the home of Cafe Van Kleef.
The five story terra cotta clad concrete store and loft building, forming a transition in scale between the 14 story Latham Square Building to the south and a two story shop building to the north. The enframed skeletal facade, five windows wide, is composed of a two story high base and three story shaft. The base is framed by a terra cotta frieze and pilasters, and has been remodeled on the ground floor. The shaft has terra cotta pilasters below a frieze of swags and medallions, molded cornice, and elevated urns at each end.
A particularly fine example of the high base loft building type common in Downtown Oakland in the 1920s, by a prominent architect best known for schools and other civic and institutional buildings. 1
This building is #29 on the list of District Contributors for the Downtown Oakland Historic District Registration Form.
A 2003 article said it was haunted by a ghost named Francois. 2
Links and References
- National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Downtown Oakland Historic District
- Restaurateur says his place is haunted Oakland Tribune October 19, 2003 (p2)
