On the heels of a four-million-dollar restoration completed a mere four years ago, the historic Galleria Park Hotel, a Joie de Vivre property in San Francisco’s Financial District, announces a top-to-bottom renovation and redesign. The new design draws inspiration from the Art Deco bones of the 1911 building, an architectural landmark, with sophisticated upgrades to result in a modern elegance with timeless appeal. A phased renovation, all 177 guest rooms, including eight suites, will be completed in late June 2017; while all group meeting and event space in, along with the lobby and mezzanine will be unveiled in early 2018. Long revered by business travelers, meeting planners, the tech contingent and savvy leisure guests alike, Galleria Park Hotel is centrally located in the heart of the Financial District. A property filled with character and charm, Galleria Park Hotel boasts more than two thousand square feet of dedicated meeting space and a rich historic legacy dating back to the 1860s.
The Design
Inspiration was sought from the historical charm and vibrant character of the building when reimagining the design of Galleria Park Hotel. All guestrooms, as of late June 2017, will feature custom furnishings, a palette of fresh neutrals, and ecclectic accents to infuse a sense of sophisticated glamour into the layered, residential feel of the space. The subtle palette is accented by invigorating, contemporary works of art hung throughout each room, providing bold pops of color with abstract pieces, photography, and geometric prints. The sleek and sophisticated design scheme continues into the bathrooms, with grey mosaic tile, textured ebony wood, clean white surfaces, and windows flooding natural light.
No detail overlooked, even the hallways are stunning. With high ceilings and plenty of windows, the custom carpeting features an artistic path in lush blues and greys simulating a patina effect. The wallpaper was specifically designed to reference key San Francisco landmarks in geometric patterns (think: Union Square and Lombard Street), resulting in an abstracted work of art in tones of textured oatmeal and light oyster grey. Throughout the entire property, key elements of the original building are restored and honored – from the historic elevator banks, to the pristine 1900s-era marble staircase and original cast iron railing that runs the height of the building.
The final phase of the renovation – the entrance, lobby and mezzanine – is slated for completion in early 2018. Upgrading the entry way with a marble tile floor, the lobby opens into an expansive living room soaring two stories in height, inclusive of a mezzanine floor. Historic photos will hang on light and creamy walls and molding will be added to provide architectural structure to the soaring walls, accented with antiqued mirrors to draw the eye skywards.
The renovation will additionally activate two new spaces: the mezzanine and back-bar. With seating overlooking the lobby lounge the mezzanine will become an intimate, impactful space. Connected to Gaspar Brasserie, the restaurant and bar will service guests seated in the new mezzanine, providing a lobby bar and social setting for guests and locals. On the lobby level, a closeted back-bar will open to reveal a “jewel box” of a crystalline bar, nodding to the hotel’s historic role in the birth of the classic cocktail.
The History
The Galleria Park Hotel is built upon the site of the former Lick House, recognized as the country’s finest hotel west of the Mississippi when it opened in 1863, and the Occidental Hotel, described as “heaven on a half-shell” in Mark Twain’s novel Roughing It. Both properties reigned as San Francisco’s Grande Dames until they were destroyed by the 1906 earthquake and fire. Their prime location gave birth to the Hotel Sutter, today’s Galleria Park Hotel, in 1911. It was at the Occidental Hotel in the early 1860s that “The Martinez” was born – later to become the “Martini” – created by bartender Jerry Thomas for an itinerant miner on his way to Martinez, California. During prohibition in the 1920s, the Hotel Sutter operated a lavish speakeasy with a mosaic floor, remnants of which can be found in the current garage of the Galleria Park Hotel. The Hotel Sutter was renamed the Galleria Park Hotel in the 1980s, in time to host prominent politicians in San Francisco to attend the 1984 Democratic Convention. Leap to 2007 when Joie de Vivre completes a $7.1 million renovation and it becomes one of the first hotels in the city to receive Green Certification. A $4 million renovation followed in 2013, leading to its current iteration, again worthy of redesign and restoration.
The Group Meeting Space
Due to its prime Financial District location and proximity to the Moscone Convention Center, Galleria Park Hotel continues to be a mainstay among groups seeking bespoke meeting space in San Francisco. The hotel boasts more than 2,000 square feet of meeting space, spread throughout three dedicated rooms, accommodating up to 180 people total. Complete audio-visual services, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, full-service catering, and a 24-hour business center account for much of its success. The Galleria Park Hotel is Green Meeting Certified and all meeting and event facilities will be redesigned and refreshed along with the current extensive hotel renovation.
The Details
A phased renovation, all 177 guest rooms, including eight suites, will be completed in late June 2017; while all group meeting and event space, in addition to the lobby and mezzanine, will be completed in early 2018. www.galleriapark.com, 415-781-43060, 191 Sutter Street, San Francisco.
