Located in the heart of San Francisco’s Union Square, the V.C. Morris Gift Shop (now the ISAIA boutique) stands as a masterclass in organic architecture and retail design. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1948, this landmark building served as a structural laboratory for the “spiral ramp” concept that would later define the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City. While the Guggenheim’s massive scale sparked controversy, the V.C. Morris building’s intimate, jewelry-box feel won over the public almost immediately.
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Preservation and Management
The building was meticulously restored during its tenure as the Xanadu Gallery. Following the gallery’s closure in 2015, the high-end Neapolitan menswear firm ISAIA took over the space. ISAIA worked closely with preservationists to ensure the interior’s architectural integrity remained intact, repurposing the space into a luxury retail environment that honors Wright’s original vision.
Elegantly Inviting
The street entrance is an updated Romanesque arch—a design choice Wright claimed “beckoned” the passerby inward rather than “vulgarly displaying” merchandise behind glass. This inward-focused design was particularly striking given the building’s location on Maiden Lane. Once a notorious red-light district during the Barbary Coast era, the street was transformed into an elegant promenade, and Wright’s quiet, windowless brick façade helped solidify its newfound sophistication.
The interior is centered around a circular mezzanine reached by a sweeping white ramp. Above, a luminous ceiling of translucent plastic “bubbles” provides soft, ethereal light, echoing the geometric motifs Wright favored throughout his career. The brickwork itself is a rarity in San Francisco, laid with precision to draw the eye without competing with the surrounding urban bustle.
Plan Your Visit
📍Location
The V.C. Morris Gift Shop is located at 140 Maiden Lane, San Francisco, California. It is situated in a pedestrian-friendly shopping district just off Union Square.
🎫Tour
While the building is no longer a gallery, it is an active retail space. Visitors are generally welcome to enter during ISAIA’s business hours to admire the architecture while browsing the collection. As this is a place of business, please be respectful of the staff and clientele.
🧳Make it a Trip
This building is a highlight of our Urban Wright tour. Pair your visit with a trip to the Marin County Civic Center (just north of the city) to see Wright’s largest realized public project.
🏨Hotels in San Francisco
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InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco – A historic landmark on Nob Hill with stunning city views.
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Holiday Inn Express San Francisco-Union Square – Conveniently located just blocks from Maiden Lane.
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Staybridge Suites San Francisco Airport – A reliable option for those traveling via SFO.
Additional Resources & Inspired Products
Find unique products, books, and gifts inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s legacy at our Amazon storefront: Wright at Home!
- Frank Lloyd Wright and San Francisco by Paul V. Turner (book)
