Hotel
Housed in Historic 1909 Fisherman’s Wharf Warehouse to Open in
September 2003
San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels
& Restaurants announced the opening of the Argonaut Hotel, to be
housed in the historic Haslett Warehouse located 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
Maritime Park’s historic 198,000-square foot warehouse into a
252-room boutique hotel. Situated at Jefferson and Hyde Streets next
to the Cannery, the Argonaut Hotel will open in September of 2003.
Rent paid by the hotel will directly benefit the Maritime Park and
will go towards preservation of its historic ships, including the Balclutha,
C.A. Thayer, Hercul, and Eureka at Hyde Street
Pier. The ground floor of the Argonaut Hotel will also include the
Maritime Park’s new Museum and Visitor Center.
Perched on the edge of the Bay at
Fisherman’s Wharf, 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.
The hotel’s plush intricate
décor features compass point elements and rich wooden interiors.
Designed to resemble a ship, the public areas of the Argonaut Hotel
will have wooden plank floors and portholes in the lobby walls
adding to the overall nautical atmosphere. Lobby furnishings in navy
blue and red fabrics with bright yellow and white accents will
include wood chaise lounges with terrycloth upholstery and an
embroidered logo.
The California Fruit Canners
Association built the Haslett Warehouse between 1907 and 1909, 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 was included in the San Francisco Maritime National
Historical Park when it was 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 Maritime Park’s new Museum
and Visitor Center, located on the ground floor of the Argonaut
Hotel, was designed by Academy Studios of Marin, California, and
will allow visitors to experience the area’s seafaring history
using interactive technology, new exhibits, and an auditorium. The
new museum will allow more of the Maritime 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 at west end of Fisherman’s Wharf, 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 at
Hyde Street Pier, by taking part in boat-building classes, or by
experiencing educational programs.