Huntington Hotel Reopens on Nob Hill

The Huntington Hotel initially opened in 1924 as luxury apartments before becoming a hotel in 1948. Weeks and Day designed the 12-story building in the Italian Renaissance Revival style; it was the first steel-and-brick high-rise on the West Coast. Located at 1075 California Street on Nob Hill, the Huntington is named for Collis P. Huntington, one of the "Big Four" railroad tycoons. Nob Hill gained prominence in the late 19th century when tycoons like Huntington, Stanford, Crocker, and Hopkins built mansions there, earning it the nickname "The Hill of Palaces". The 1906 earthquake and fire destroyed nearly all the mansions, but the neighborhood later became known for luxurious hotels. The Huntington's location is actually on the former site of the Tobin family mansion, founders of Hibernia Bank. The Huntington closed in 2020 due to the pandemic and faced foreclosure in 2022. Highgate Hotels and Flynn Properties acquired the property in 2023 and began renovations. The renovations preserved the Georgian architecture, including plasterwork ceilings and boiserie panels. The Big Four Restaurant, a long-standing fixture, is named after the railroad tycoons. Designer Ken Fulk oversaw the aesthetic revival, while chef David Intonato updated the menu. The restaurant is known for its "clubhouse atmosphere", live piano performances, and classic dishes. San Francisco's hotel market is recovering, with increased return-to-office activity and a strong convention calendar. The city's hotel RevPAR (revenue per available room) was up 8.9% as of August 2025. Major events like the Super Bowl and World Cup matches are expected to further boost occupancy and rates. The Huntington's renovation aims to position it as a market leader, independent of a brand affiliation. The hotel now offers 143 guest rooms and suites, including a 1,500 square foot Penthouse. Amenities include the Nob Hill Spa, spanning three levels with an indoor pool and 12 treatment rooms. The Big Four originally opened in 1967 and was known as a place to be seen, attracting figures like former Mayor Willie Brown and Senator Dianne Feinstein. The reopened restaurant preserves original details like rams' horn wall sconces and mirrors etched with the names of the "Big Four".