Submitted by Kristi Wachter on
Herman C. Baumann was born in 1890 in Oakland, California. His family moved to Potrero Hill in San Francisco when he was a year old.
Baumann began working in his late teens, first doing drafting work for Norman Sexton, then doing design work for George Wagner. Baumann also studied at the San Francisco Architectural Club. He opened his own architectural office years before obtaining his architect's license in 1921. He had a brief partnership with engineer Edward Jose from 1923-1925.
Baumann's work was in great demand during the 1920's. He designed many apartment buildings in a variety of styles.
In 1928, he designed and invested in the Bellaire Apartments, a beautiful building erected at 1101 Green Street. This enormous financial commitment resulted in him losing nearly everything in the 1929 Depression.
Baumann died in 1963.