site history

	our process
	site history
	a better way to build
	our team

Site History

Throughout most of the 19th century, the future site of the Schilling Wine Cellars complex remained quiet pasturelands.

FIRST STRUCTURES

In 1871, the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad acquired much of the unimproved property west of Tennessee Street, including the future site of the Schilling Wine Cellar complex. The first structures built, designed to house railroad employees, consisted of a single row of six identical one-story duplexes along with one single-family cottage. Later these structures were relocated elsewhere in the Dogpatch neighborhood.

REBUILDING THE SCHILLING WINE CELLAR

Following the 1906 earthquake and fire, San Francisco companies were faced with the choice of rebuilding in the city or relocating to a new site outside of the city. Claus Schilling's original company building on Brannan Street had been completely destroyed, but unlike many of his competitors he did not flee the city, instead choosing to begin construction of his new wine cellar in the Dogpatch/Potrero Hill district. Construction began in 1906 and was praised by experts in the wine trade for its modernity, with some claiming that, "....in fact, no concern west of Chicago enjoys better facilities."1
In 1915, Claus Schilling sold the complex to the California Wine Association who already owned 50% of the business.

ESPRIT DE CORPS

In 1972, Susie and Doug Tompkins bought the complex to house the headquarters of their new clothing company, Esprit de Corp. The Tompkinses made extensive improvements to the complex and also purchased adjoining properties, having them landscaped as quasi-public open space for use by Esprit employees as well as the neighborhood.

BUILD INC.

In 2004, Build Inc. purchased the abandoned Esprit headquarters and began planning and development of the Homes on Esprit Park.
In 2006, renovation and salvage of the historic brick structures began, including the reclamation of the massive Douglas fir timbers used to support the Minnesota Street building.
In the winter of 2007, the excavation and foundation work began. This marked the commencement of construction for Homes on Esprit Park.

_________________________
1 Ernest P. Peninou and Gail C. Unzelman, The California Wine Association and Its Member Wineries, 1894-1920 (Santa Rosa, CA; Nomis Press, 2000), 86.

To read a detailed history written by Page and Turnbull, on the Homes on Esprit Park site, please click here.