Opening of Argonaut Hotel in
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
New Waterfront Hotel Housed in
Historic 1909 Cannery
The
opening of San Francisco’s new, waterfront Argonaut Hotel–delayed
for more than a year due to fire–is now slated for August 2003,
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants announced today. Housed in the
historic Haslett Warehouse, the Argonaut Hotel will be located at
the corner of Jefferson and Hyde Streets in the San Francisco
Maritime National Historical Park at Fisherman’s Wharf. The
Maritime Hotel Associates LP, an affiliate of Kimpton Hotels &
Restaurants, is currently leasing and rehabilitating the Park
Service’s historic 198,000 square-foot warehouse into a 252-room
boutique hotel. The ground floor of the new hotel will include the
Park’s new Visitors Center–a must-see first stop. Rent paid by
the hotel will benefit the San Francisco Maritime National
Historical Park, helping to preserve its historic ships, including
the Balclutha, C.A. Thayer, Hercules, and Eureka
at Hyde Street Pier.
Perched on the edge of the Bay at
The Cannery, the Argonaut Hotel will create a luxurious and lively
guest experience wrapped in the history and style of the San
Francisco waterfront in the early 1900s. The hotel’s
turn-of-the-century architecture, complete with red brick walls and
Douglas fir wood beams, will embody the rich nautical history of San
Francisco.
Adjacent to the hotel will be a
new casual style cafe, the Blue Mermaid Chowder House, specializing
in a selection of homemade chowders. The 134-seat restaurant with
patio dining, a full bar and wine list will serve classic San
Francisco fare including a selection of Wharf-style favorites. The
restaurant was designed by the award-winning Robert Puccini Design
and Development of San Francisco.
Between 1907 and 1909, the
California Fruit Canners Association built the Haslett Warehouse, a
four-story, timber and solid brick structure located on Hyde Street
between Beach and Jefferson Streets. It was once the largest fruit
and vegetable cannery in the world. After changing hands several
times, the Haslett was transferred to the National Park Service in
1978, and later included in the San Francisco Maritime National
Historical Park, established in 1988.
The City of San Francisco declared
the Haslett Warehouse an historic landmark in 1974. The building was
listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. The
Haslett building exemplifies the genre of warehouse that was once
predominant in the northern waterfront area of San Francisco. The
building contributes significantly to the historic ambience of the
Fisherman’s Wharf area.
The San Francisco Maritime
National Historical Park’s new Visitors Center will be a first
stop for those visiting the Park and will be located on the ground
floor of the Argonaut Hotel. Designed by Academy Studios of Marin,
visitors will experience the area’s seafaring history using
interactive technology, new exhibits, and an auditorium. The new
Visitors Center will allow more of the Park’s extensive collection
to be displayed and opportunities for educational events, lectures,
and screenings.
The San Francisco Maritime
National Historical Park is the world’s only floating national
park. This unique park, located across the street from The Cannery,
includes the historic fleet at Hyde Street Pier, the Maritime
Museum, and the Maritime Library. Visitors can discover the romance
and excitement of West Coast maritime history by boarding the
historic landmark ships, including the Balclutha, C.A.
Thayer, Hercules, and Eureka at Hyde Street Pier,
taking part in boat-building classes, or experiencing educational
programs.
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants
is a San Francisco-based company known for its collection of stylish
boutique hotels that are coupled with fine chef-driven restaurants.
Founded in 1981, the company currently operates 38 hotels and 34
restaurants across the United States and Canada and its combination
of boutique, four-star service, and an adjacent destination
restaurant has proven a great success.