Historic San Francisco hotel heads for overhaul with new owners

Image of Huntington Hotel courtesy of veroyama via Wikimedia Commons.
Hotel management and development firm Highgate has teamed up with luxury resort owner Flynn Properties to acquire and restore an iconic San Francisco property.

The project partners intend to renovate and elevate every aspect of The Huntington Hotel to the highest standard, returning it to its original glory while re-establishing it as the finest luxury hotel in the US city.

Nostalgic symbol

Located in San Francisco’s Nob Hill neighbourhood, the storied property has long been a nostalgic symbol of a bygone era, having originally been constructed in 1924 as the first steel and brick high rise west of the Mississippi.

The hotel is a 12-storey, Georgian-style building that features 135 guest rooms and suites with the largest average room size and one of the highest suite mixes amongst luxury hotels in San Francisco.

Extensive renovations

In addition to a comprehensive renovation of the property’s public areas and guestrooms, the Big 4 Restaurant will undergo upgrades with a keen sensitivity to its history.

The Nob Hill Spa will be renovated to reflect fine design details and offer the latest treatments and amenities available. Reopening is expected in 2025.

Renaissance contribution

Greg Flynn, CEO and founder of San Francisco-based Flynn Properties, said: “I could not be more excited about the opportunity to bring the iconic Huntington Hotel back to its former glory and beyond.

“Being a San Francisco native and current resident, I am deeply committed to this city. The opportunity to contribute to its renaissance through investment in one of its true treasures is a privilege, and I am committed to making sure that it is done to perfection.

“I am also excited to partner with Highgate. This is our second partnership with the firm, and they bring an invaluable wealth of experience and expertise to the project.”

Reclaiming its mantle

Arash Azarbarzin, CEO at Highgate, added: “Highgate’s philosophy has always been to pursue opportunities where we have a distinct ability to add value. Under our stewardship, The Huntington will reclaim its mantle as an indispensable component of the San Francisco community, through a revitalisation project that will celebrate its heritage while making significant upgrades to meet the expectations of today’s guests.

“We look forward to partnering with the associates, the community and Flynn Properties in achieving these objectives, and we are thrilled to make another significant investment in the San Francisco hotel market.”

Growing luxury

The Huntington Hotel is the latest addition to Highgate’s growing luxury and lifestyle division, which includes over 7,500 keys with 2,100 keys under development.

Some of the projects the firm is currently involved with include Renaissance Honolulu Hotel at Sky Ala Moana in Hawaii, USA; Hotel Santiago, Curio Collection by Hilton in Santiago De Los Caballeros, Dominican Republic; and a 200-key site in the Shoreditch neighbourhood of London, UK.

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