166 Geary Street | C.I. Banker Wire and Iron Works

In San Francisco’s upscale Union Square district, 166 Geary Street stands tall with 16 stories of commercial and office spaces. The 1907 Grace Building boasts many classic design features. Many have brought these to life with modern renovations that honor the building’s history. When updating the 100-year-old elevator cab, the designers at Unique Elevator Interiors selected Banker Wire’s M33-2 in bronze to create wire mesh elevator panels. The new unique style puts the inner workings of the shaft on display while remaining true to the vintage elegance of the building.

Due to its advanced age, the elevator cab needed a complete overhaul. Unique Elevator Interiors crafted entirely new cab shell walls with Banker Wire’s woven wire mesh M33-2. However, UEI kept the original dome to retain the historic ornamental design. The rich bronze tones of the wire mesh elevator panels imbue the cab interior with warmth. The color beautifully complements the star-patterned metal backing of the ceiling’s filigreed corners.

“We wanted to see if we could update the design of the cab and still make it look classic,” states Duane Bolt of UEI. “We knew Banker Wire and their woven wire mesh would be a great fit.”

Designers at UEI chose woven wire mesh pattern M33-2 for its sturdiness and opacity. Built into the cab’s frame, the material makes up a majority of the visible structure. With its 9.2% open area, the wire mesh elevator panels create a slightly transparent façade. Each small opening allows a slight glimpse of the elevator shaft and mechanics beyond. The flat-faced basket weave adds texture to the surrounding walls as well. The light from above defines glistening highlights and deep shadows in the wire mesh. Both durable and dazzling, Banker Wire’s M33-2 plays a defining role in the striking redesign completed by Unique Elevator Interiors.