In 1901 , Polk went on a tour of Europe and Chicago . In Chicago , he met prominent architect Daniel Burnham . From 1903 to 1913 , Polk was the West Coast representative of D.H. Burnham & Company . Polk designed several of his most notable structures while associated with the firm , including the Merchants Exchange Building , the tallest building in San Francisco upon its completion in 1903 . The 1906 San Francisco earthquake opened up numerous opportunities for Polk to design Burnham structures . He was a member of Mayor Eugene Schmitz 's Committee of Fifty leaders who undertook ambitious plans to rebuild a world-class city . Polk was tasked with convincing city officials to adopt Burnham 's 1905 Plan of San Francisco
1906 San Francisco earthquake
1906 San Francisco earthquake
Willis Polk