Visit our MADE in SAN FRANCISCO Gallery at FISHERMAN'S WHARF
Golden Gate Furniture Co.

Fall Open Studios

To meet the artists and get a behind the scenes look at how we craft our designs, join us at our Islais Creek Studios workshop for Fall 2024 Shipyard Open Studios: October 19-20 from 11 AM to 6 PM Islais Creek Studios - Studio 403 1 Rankin Street (at Custer Avenue) San Francisco, CA 94124 Free Admission and Parking Islais Creek Studios, home to metal worker and sculptural artists, is part of Hunters Point Shipyard Artists - the country's oldest and largest working artist studio community celebrating its 40-Year Anniversary.

Golden Gate Bridge (1937)

Pedestrian Handrail (1937-1993)

Over the years, the Bridge’s maintenance mostly consisted of constant repainting in order to preserve its overall beauty and the steel’s integrity. However, after 56 years, the severe winds and salt air of the open ocean had begun to deteriorate and compromise portions of the pedestrian handrail. So in 1993, the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District replaced a significant amount of the pedestrian handrail, which the Golden Gate Design & Furniture Co. later acquired.

Golden Gate Furniture Co. (1994)

One afternoon in 1994, a San Francisco television station did a news story on the fate of the Golden Gate Bridge steel that was removed during the handrail replacement in 1993. Richard Bulan, who was born in San Francisco and raised in the Bay Area, thought it would be great to have a headboard made from the historical steel. Through perseverance, he managed to track down the name of the contractor and get a section of the approximately 12-foot long, 1000 pound handrail to his home. He then spent over a month cutting and grinding down the section of handrail, until he had not only crafted one headboard, but also three more just like it. When friends began expressing interest in purchasing the headboards, Richard realized the potential market and the Golden Gate Design & Furniture Co. was born.

SWIPE for ANSWERS to FAQS

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did the Golden Gate Design & Furniture Company (GGDFC) get the Golden Gate Bridge Steel? Are they constantly replacing Golden Gate Bridge steel? How did the founder (Richard Bulan) get the idea to start a furniture company? Do you leave the old paint on? What kind of furniture do you make? What will you do once you run out of material? SWIPE for more FAQs....

Contact Us

NEW!!! GALLERY : Fisherman's Wharf 91 Jefferson Street across from SkyStar Open 10 AM to 6 PM Daily WORKSHOP : Islais Creek Studios 3 Rankin Street @ Custer Avenue Visits Available by Appointment Only A visit to our ISLAIS CREEK STUDIOS WORKSHOP is always welcome, but please contact first to schedule an appointment. Our new MADE IN SAN FRANCISCO GALLERY location on Fisherman's Wharf is OPEN DAILY from 10AM to 6PM.
Workshop Location
3 Rankin Street, Studio 403 San Francisco, CA 94124
Open Hours
By Appointment Only