Historic 1908 San Francisco Building Sold for $24.5M, Transforms for Super Bowl Week

Local record label Empire opens doors of newly acquired One Montgomery building for Super Bowl festivities.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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The opulent One Montgomery building, originally built in 1908 and most recently home to a Wells Fargo bank, has been sold to local record label Empire for $24.5 million. Empire plans to transform the historic space, including its rooftop, into a cultural hub, hosting concerts and activations during Super Bowl week.

Why it matters

The sale and repurposing of the historic One Montgomery building highlights the changing landscape of San Francisco's downtown, as long-standing financial institutions give way to creative and cultural enterprises. Empire's plans to turn the building into a music and entertainment destination aligns with the city's efforts to revitalize its urban core and attract new visitors, especially during major events like the Super Bowl.

The details

Empire, the largest independent record label in the country, recently acquired the One Montgomery building and plans to move 200 employees into the space. The 30-foot-high ceilings and ornate Italian Renaissance revival architecture of the building will provide a unique backdrop for the label's Super Bowl week activations, which include a museum celebrating 15 years of the label, a Levi's and Jordan Brand activation, and a pop-up version of NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts featuring local artists.

  • The One Montgomery building was originally constructed in 1908.
  • The building was expanded to a second adjacent building in 1920.
  • Wells Fargo Bank occupied the building until 2019.
  • Empire acquired the building in 2026 for $24.5 million.
  • Empire is hosting Super Bowl week festivities in the building in February 2026.

The players

Empire

A local record label that has become the largest independent record label in the country, known for hits like "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" by Shaboozey.

Ghazi

The owner of Empire record label, who expressed excitement about opening the doors of the historic One Montgomery building to the public for Super Bowl festivities.

Willis Polk

The legendary San Francisco architect who originally designed the One Montgomery building in 1908.

Levi's

A clothing brand that is partnering with Empire on an activation in the One Montgomery building during Super Bowl week.

Jordan Brand

A sportswear brand that is partnering with Empire on an activation in the One Montgomery building during Super Bowl week.

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What they’re saying

“It's amazing, bro. It's mind-blowing. I only imagined that things like this could happen. So to see all these people in here, not only because it's a beautiful building, but here for what we're actually doing, which is music culture. It's pretty gratifying.”

— Ghazi, Owner, Empire record label (SFGATE)

“If you're into design, you should look at the box sets. If you're into accolades, look at the diamond plaques. If you're into culture, look at all the names on the wall and the underpinning of the Bay Area.”

— Ghazi, Owner, Empire record label (SFGATE)

What’s next

Empire plans to close off the rooftop of the One Montgomery building and host four public concerts there, though details on the timeline are still unclear.

The takeaway

The repurposing of the historic One Montgomery building by Empire record label exemplifies San Francisco's evolving urban landscape, as the city seeks to attract new cultural and creative enterprises to revitalize its downtown core, especially during major events like the Super Bowl.