OUR VENUE

The historic Westin St. Francis Hotel has hosted U.S. presidents, kings, queens, emperors, and others, who were both titled and notorious!

The construction of the St. Francis Hotel was initiated by the trustees of Charles Crocker's estate, a prominent figure among the influential railroad tycoons known as "The Big Four" who were instrumental in building the transcontinental railway's western segment. Designed by Bliss and Faville, the architectural style was influenced by the renowned Chicago architect Louis Sullivan. Opening its doors on March 21, 1904, the hotel quickly gained renown as one of San Francisco's most prestigious destinations, alongside the established Palace Hotel on Market Street.

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In the 1920s, the St. Francis Hotel became the favored accommodation for notable personalities and Hollywood actors. Among its distinguished guests were iconic silent film stars like Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, and Mary Pickford, as well as other luminaries such as novelist Sinclair Lewis, circus impresarios the Ringling Brothers, and world champion swimmer Duke Kahanamoku, credited with popularizing surfing.

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Adding to its allure, the hotel boasts a historic lobby master clock, a significant landmark as the first of its kind in the Western United States. Notably, the Bourbon Steakhouse by celebrity chef Michael Mina now occupies the space previously housing his eponymous restaurant, as well as the Compass Rose and the Patent Leather Bar, originally designed by Timothy L. Pflueger.

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Preserving its rich history, the hotel showcases a curated collection of photographic prints by Ansel Adams, originally commissioned to promote the former Patent Leather Bar. Additionally, it upholds unique traditions such as employing an official hotel historian and offering the industry's sole remaining coin cleaning service for guests.

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What ‘history’ will be made by BuildOUT California while at this amazing and structurally significant venue? 

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