11/12/2024
The history of the Renoir Hotel in San Francisco is rich and spans more than a century, beginning with the original construction of the building in the early 1900s. Designed by renowned architect Albert Pissis, the Callaghan Building, as it was initially called, was built between 1900 and 1904 at the prominent intersection of Market and McAllister Streets. This six-story office building was across from the Hibernia Bank, also designed by Pissis, and part of a collection of San Francisco landmark buildings he designed, including the Flood Building and the Emporium..
However, the building was destroyed in the catastrophic 1906 earthquake and fire, along with much of San Francisco, including City Hall. After the devastation, the building was rebuilt on the original foundations, though initially as a two-story office building with ground-level retail space. .
In the 1920s, architect H.A. Minton, known for his work on earthquake-resistant buildings, was hired to remodel the structure. Under his design, five additional stories were added, and the building reopened as the Hotel Shaw in 1927. The hotel was a luxurious four-star property catering to San Francisco’s wealthy clientele during the 1930s and 1940s. It became a prominent feature of the city’s Theatre District, a hub for those visiting its renowned theatres..
The hotel remained the Hotel Shaw until 1982, when it was sold to overseas investors and renamed the Hotel Miramar. Following another brief period of ownership changes, it became the United Nations Plaza Hotel in the mid-1980s. In 1993, the Yee family purchased the building, restoring its neo-classical lobby and renaming it the Renoir Hotel..
The hotel was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986 as part of the Market Street Theatre and Loft District, a 131-acre area that includes twenty contributing buildings . However, the Renoir Hotel’s later years were marked by controversy, particularly regarding its redevelopment plans. In 2012, it was sold to the Kor Realty Group, and in 2013, the building closed for renovations, with the aim of transforming it into a modern luxury hotel.
In the same period, a significant legal case involving EB-5 investors emerged. In 2024, a class-action lawsuit was filed by investors who had contributed a total of $42 million through the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, claiming that they were misled about the renovation and use of the funds. The investors allege that the hotel developers made fraudulent claims about the project to induce the investments. The case is ongoing, with a court hearing set for mid-2024..
Following the renovations, the property reopened as the Proper Hotel in 2018, marking the latest chapter in its long and storied history. Today, the building retains its historic architectural features while offering modern amenities and is a part of San Francisco’s Mid-Market district.
The City’s Mid-Market district where the Renoir Hotel (now Proper Hotel) is located, has long been seen as a challenging area, particularly in terms of crime and urban blight. Over the years, it became known for its concentration of social issues, including homelessness, drug use, and open-air markets. The area was historically an important commercial and cultural hub but saw a decline in the latter half of the 20th century as businesses moved out and economic activity slowed .
However, in recent years, Mid-Market has been undergoing significant redevelopment efforts. Initiatives have been aimed at revitalizing the area, with a focus on new businesses, tech company offices, and luxury residential buildings. In addition, some cultural and hospitality venues, such as the Proper Hotel, have been part of a broader strategy to attract more affluent visitors and professionals. These changes are part of a broader push to transform Mid-Market into a thriving commercial district once again..
While progress has been made, the neighborhood’s transformation remains a work in progress, and challenges such as homelessness persist, though the area’s redevelopment has attracted a mixed reception. Some argue that the influx of luxury developments could price out local residents and businesses, while others feel that these efforts will eventually improve safety and create a more vibrant urban environment. These complex dynamics reflect the ongoing struggle to balance development with the social issues that have historically defined the district.
