APARTMENTS
650•344•2440
APARTMENTS
650•344•2440
The distinctive rectangular shape of the De Sabla Apartments building, designed by San Francisco architect Agnus McSweeny was built in the early 1950s. De Sabla Apartments fits prominently at the intersection of De Sabla Road and El Camino Real. This location strategically sits adjacent to the historical El Cerrito estate entrance characterized by brick pillars. The De Sabla Apartments was intended to serve as residential housing for the ever-growing population of San Mateo County. Standing at 11 stories, the De Sabla Apartments is one of the tallest buildings in San Mateo, making it an enduring landmark along El Camino Real.
The De Sabla Apartments was named after Eugene De Sabla whom to many is considered the “Father of PG&E”. Eugene De Sabla was one of the first to develop hydroelectric power in the Sierra Nevada. With the help of business partner John Martin, they expanded their network of electrical powerlines across California. In 1905 Martin and De Sabla served 22 counties, and they changed their name to Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), and Eugene De Sabla became its first president.
Built on their success, in 1907 De Sabla purchased the historic El Cerrito Estate. On this estate he commissioned the construction of a lavish 35 room mansion as well as the historic Japanese Teahouse and Garden. Eugene De Sabla lived on the estate for about a decade until 1919 when he moved to New York. His mansion was demolished in the 1940s and the land subdivided by the developer and visionary David D. Bohannon. Bohannon’s notable developments include Hillsdale Shopping Center, an 848 acres Hillsdale development, San Lorenzo Village housing project, San Lorenzo Shopping Center and countless more.
Local architect Agnus McSweeny was commissioned as the chief architect for De Sabla Apartments. Notable professional works include Saint Mary’s Cathedral, 1080 Chestnut Apartments, 1190 Sacramento Apartments as well as many single-family homes in some of San Francisco’s exclusive neighborhoods, Russian Hill, Nob Hill, Pacific Heights and Saint Francis Woods.
The construction contract was awarded to Barrett & Hilp, a San Francisco based general contractor. Notable projects include construction of the anchorages and approach piers which support the great cables on the Golden Gate Bridge, construction of the east bay approaches of the Bay Bridge, the Seals Stadium (first home of the San Francisco Giants) and the Bartlett Dam.
De Sabla Apartments opened into a decade marked by the post–World War II boom. The economy was growing rapidly and with the lower cost for new cars, suburban houses and living was on a rise. San Mateo County developed at a quick pace between 1950 and 1970. Up until 1970 a proprietor who lived in the building served beverages and small bites in the penthouse. Many of De Sabla’s longtime residents would frequent the penthouse daily solidifying a sense of community.
From 1950’s to the late 1970’s De Sabla Apartments offered its residents an optional weekly linen service. Although De Sabla Apartments no longer offers these amenities, they were a sign of the times and common place during these decades marked by opulence and economic boom.