SKU: 34552520748

Portal: San Francisco's Ferry Building and the Reinvention of American Cities

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Description

Portal: San Francisco's Ferry Building and the Reinvention of American CitiesConceived in the Gilded Age, the Ferry Building opened in 1898 as San Francisco's portal to the world the terminus of the transcontinental railway and a showcase of civic ambition. In silent films and World's Fair postcards, nothing said "San Francisco" more than its soaring clocktower. But as acclaimed architectural critic John King recounts in Portal, the rise of the automobile and double deck freeways severed the city from its beloved structure and

Conceived in the Gilded Age, the Ferry Building opened in 1898 as San Francisco's portal to the world--the terminus of the transcontinental railway and a showcase of civic ambition. In silent films and World's Fair postcards, nothing said "San Francisco" more than its soaring clocktower.

But as acclaimed architectural critic John King recounts in Portal, the rise of the automobile and double-deck freeways severed the city from its beloved structure and its waterfront--a connection that required generations to restore.

King's narrative spans the rise and fall and rebirth of the Ferry Building. Rich with feats of engineering and civic imagination, his story introduces colorful figures who fought to preserve the Ferry Building's character (and the city's soul)--from architect Arthur Page Brown and legendary columnist Herb Caen to poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Senator Dianne Feinstein.

In King's hands, the saga of the Ferry Building is a microcosm of a larger evolution along the waterfronts of cities everywhere. Portal traces the damage inflicted on historic neighborhoods and working dockyards by cars, highways, and top-down planning and "urban renewal." But when an earthquake destroyed the Embarcadero Freeway, city residents seized the chance to reclaim their connection to the bay. Transporting readers across 125 years of history, this tour de force explores the tensions impacting urban infrastructure and public spaces, among them tourism, deindustrialization, development, and globalization. Portal culminates with a rich portrait of San Francisco's vibrant esplanade today, visited by millions, even as sea level rise and earthquakes threaten a landmark that remains as vital as ever.

A book for city lovers and visitors, architecture fans and pedestrians, Portal is essential reading for anyone interested in the history of San Francisco and the future of American cities.

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SKU: 34552520748

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CrystalLea
Draper, US
★★★★★ 5
Comfortable and light!
Color: Brown, Size: Large
Wanted something that was going to be lightweight but had those longer sleeves because I do still get a tad chilly even on the warmer days. This is perfect, the fabric is lightweight and breathable, the loose cut around the waist adds to the top's "breathability," but it still keeps you cozy and warm on those chilly mornings! The brown is a lovely warm-coffee tone and it hasn't faded a bit in the wash. Very nice shirt to add to your collection!
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Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2026
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Customer Review
Lexington, US
★★★★★ 4
looks nice, well made and styish.
This was a gift for a friend. It is well made, has a good modern style to it, comfortable to wear, she is taller, and it fits her well. Its a bit warm, so a fall kind of clothing option.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2026
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Nomad Fan
Los Angeles, US
★★★★★ 5
Perfect!
Size: Medium, Color: Pure Black
Well made, soft comfortable and looks great.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2026
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Lisa Wald
Fort Morgan, US
★★★★★ 5
So soft
Size: Large, Color: Pure Black
Loved. Soft and cute
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Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2026
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L. from lil Rhody
New York, US
★★★★★ 2
cute but not the material I expected
Size: Small, Color: Pure Black
This was really cute, well made and fit as expected. Unfortunately, I have sensitive skin and I found the material to be scratchy so I sent it back.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2026

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