AUGUST NORDIN

Architect

1869–1936

Nicolaus August Nordin was born in Stockholm, Sweden on December 5, 1869. He obtained his architectural training in Sweden. After moving to San Francisco in the 1890’s, August started work first as a carpenter and contractor, living on Hattie Street between Corbett and Market in the Upper Market area. In 1899, he opened his own architectural practice with an office at 1926 Market Street, just west of Laguna, and listed himself in the Business section of the 1900 City Directory as an architect. In 1901, when licensing of California architects was first legislated, Nordin was awarded one of the first State Architects Certificates issued, A184, without having to take any examinations.

Black-and-white portrait of a man with a full beard, mustache, and light-colored hair, wearing a high-collared shirt and jacket.

  • Pacific Heights – 2222-26 Vallejo (1899, 3 apts.)

  • Duboce Triangle – 101-11 Noe (1899, 8 apts.)

  • Cole Valley – 199 Carl (1900, a corner house)

  • Alamo Square – 800-12 Divisadero (1900, 18 apts.)

    • 1080-82 Fulton (1902, 4 apts.)

    • 1086-88 Fulton (1902, 6 apts.),

    • 1364-65 McAllister (1903, 2 apts.)

  • Cow Hollow – 2688-90 Filbert (1903, 3 apts.)

His early work included these significant building designs

In common with most architects of his time, Nordin designed a variety of buildings, more than 300 in his career, including a commercial building on Kearny and a commercial garage at 675 Post, but his Swedish connections led to his most significant commission – the Swedish American Hall at 2174 Market Street, just east of Sanchez, built in 1907. This building was designated as San Francisco City Landmark #274 in 2015 and is still used today as a meeting place for many generations of Swedish Americans.

Nordin was named a Knight of the Royal Order of Vasa for his work on the Swedish pavilion at the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco.

more of his designs include

  • Nob Hill – 1054-58 Clay (1907, 3 apts.), 1040-44 Clay (1909, 3 apts.)

  • Russian Hill – 717-19 Beach at Hyde (1911, including the Buena Vista Café)

  • Cole Valley – 249 Edgewood (1911, a house), 172 Parnassus (1911, 7 apts.)

  • Downtown – 1144 Larkin (1911, 16 apts.), 750 O’Farrell (1913, 48 apts.)

  • Hayes Valley – 150 Franklin (1912, 32 apts.)

  • Lone Mountain – 40-42 Parsons (1914, 2 apts.)

  • Sea Cliff – 170 Seacliff Av. (1914, a house)

Nordin had a complicated personal life. He married Minnie Hunt in May 1893 and they had 3 children – Leonard, Alice and Robert. Minnie died before 1900. August subsequently remarried in July 1907 Florence Brown Gaige, who had 3 daughters of her own from a prior marriage – Evelyn, Audrey and Phyllis. August and Florence divorced in June 1923. August died following a heart attack on January 8, 1936 at the age of 66, survived by sons Leonard and Robert. Robert had obtained his architectural license (C99) in 1932, worked initially with his father, and went on to have his own career in the City.

Written by David Parry
July 2025