This Zig-Zag Moderne building, designed for the sale and servicing of Buick automobiles, captures the glamour, rising affluence, and sophistication of the post-World War I era. Charles Howard, who rose to prosperity through his successful Bay Area auto dealerships, also owned the famous racehorse Seabiscuit.

Architect Frederick Reimers designed many period revival houses, as well as schools and other commercial buildings in the Moderne Style. Five unequal show-window bays are framed by fluted pilasters of reinforced concrete rising to scrolled, fountain-like capitals. Metal grilles, scrollwork, and doors in art deco-relief patterns further embellish the building.