Suvarna Garge (Editor)

Fairmont Heritage Place, Ghirardelli Square

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Location
  
United States

Floor count
  
4

Opening
  
2008

Fairmont Heritage Place, Ghirardelli Square

Hotel chain
  
Fairmont Hotels and Resorts

Address
  
900 North Point Street, Suite D100, San Francisco, California, United States 94109

Management
  
Fairmont Raffles Hotels International

Fairmont Heritage Place, Ghirardelli Square is a residence-style hotel located on San Francisco's Ghirardelli Square, which is a San Francisco Landmark. The hotel was constructed inside part of the former Ghirardelli chocolate factory, which opened on the city's waterfront in 1893, with room rates starting from 800 dollars per night. In addition to being a hotel, the property offers residential purchasing opportunities.

Contents

History

Unlike most Fairmont hotels, the Fairmont Heritage Place, Ghirardelli Square does not boast a long history, having just opened in 2008. However, the building in which it resides does have a history.

Ghirardelli Chocolate was founded in San Francisco, California, by Domenico Ghirardelli in 1852, under the name Ghirardely & Girard. The business flourished and grew, and by 1893, had outgrown is facilities. That year, the company purchased the Pioneer Woolen Mill building, located on what would become San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf. All chocolate production moved to that building, where it remained for 67 years.

In 1960, the chocolate manufacturing operation was sold, and moved to San Leandro, California. Fearing the old building would be demolished, and an important part of San Francisco's history destroyed, shipping executive, William M. Roth, along with his mother, purchased the former chocolate factory property.

Included in the deal were the Chocolate Building, the Mustard Building, the Cocoa Building, the Apartment, the Power Plant, and the Clock Tower. One factory building was demolished, and replaced with what is now the Wurster Building. The Roths' plan was to turn the property into a specialty shopping center while retaining its Victorian style. The renovation also entailed strengthening the structure of the remaining buildings, and constructing an underground garage.

On November 29, 1964, the new shopping center opened, and in 1965, Ghirardelli Square was declared a San Francisco Landmark.

In 2008, part of the Clock Tower Building opened as the Fairmont Heritage Place, Ghirardelli Square. The hotel is one of Fairmont's smaller properties, with just 53 residence-style rooms spanning four floors.

Residences

In addition to being a luxury boutique hotel, Fairmont Heritage Place, Ghirardelli Square offers fractional ownership opportunities for all 53 of its units. Each apartment is more than a hotel room, including gourmet kitchens and plasma-screen televisions. Apartments offering one to three bedrooms are available. Those who purchase the hotel-apartments may use their apartments for 35 nights per year, and enjoy certain hotel amenities such as free valet parking and a 24-hour concierge.

Restaurants

The Fairmont Heritage Place, Ghirardelli Square doesn't have any restaurants on the property. However, guests have numerous dining options to choose from in Ghirardelli Square:

  • Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop – Offering hot fudge sundaes, samples of their chocolate squares, and views of the original Ghirardelli chocolate manufacturing equipment.
  • Kara’s Cupcakes - An artisan bakery emphasizing the use of organic products.
  • McCormick and Kuleto’s Seafood Restaurant – Known for its three-tiered dining room and views of the San Francisco Bay.
  • The Pub - Neighborhood bar & grill featuring Southern style BBQ and a full bar.
  • Lori's Diner – Nostalgic '50s style diner decorated with neon and serving burgers, fries, malts, and ice cream sodas.
  • References

    Fairmont Heritage Place, Ghirardelli Square Wikipedia