Chocolate aroma fills the air here at Ghirardelli Square. This landmark public square sits at the foot of Russian Hill. It is next to the Aquatic Park Historic District. Many consider it part of Fisherman’s Wharf tourist attractions.
Let’s step back to 1893. Domenico Ghirardelli purchased this entire city block. He wanted to make it the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company headquarters. But in the early 1960s, things changed. The Golden Grain Macaroni Company bought Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. They moved the headquarters to San Leandro. The square was put up for sale.
William Roth and his mother Lurline Matson Roth stepped in. They bought the land in 1962. They prevented an apartment building from replacing it. The Roths hired Lawrence Halprin. They also hired Wurster, Bernardi and Emmons. Their task was to convert the square. They would transform the historic brick structures. It would become a restaurant and retail complex. This was the first major adaptive re-use project in the United States. Ghirardelli Square opened in 1964.
Benjamin Thompson and Associates renovated the Clock Tower’s lower floor in 1965. They kept the existing architectural elements for a Design Research store. Today the Clock Tower’s lower floors house Ghirardelli Square’s main chocolate shop.
Capital and Counties USA and Northwestern Mutual Life bought Ghirardelli Square in 1981. To preserve Ghirardelli Square for future generations it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
Part of the former clock tower building became the Fairmont Heritage Place hotel in 2008. The hotel has 53 residence-style rooms on four floors. It offers fractional ownership. It is one of the few 5-star hotels in Fisherman’s Wharf.
Atlanta based Jamestown L.P. purchased Ghirardelli Square in 2013. The plaza connects the Embarcadero waterfront promenade to the Marina Green. It also connects to Crissy Field and the Presidio Parkland. Ghirardelli Square sits at the eastern end of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Lawrence Halprin wanted to preserve space within the urban setting. He aimed to create an example for other U.S. cities. Ghirardelli Square had many rarities when it was created. Halprin designed all the street furniture and light fixtures. This was uncommon at the time. A wheelchair ramp was included for William Wurster. This was another rare design choice. Ghirardelli’s underground garage was also new. Shops were put at street level. This promoted social opportunities. The garage didn’t connect to the road.
Ruth Asawa’s cast bronze statue called Andrea stands in Ghirardelli Plaza. It was installed in 1968. It features two mermaids. One mermaid nurses a merbaby. Frogs and turtles surround them. The statue celebrates the wonders of the ocean. It connects the square to the nearby bay.
One design challenge involved the Pacific Heights neighborhood. Residents wanted the giant Ghirardelli sign removed. It was too bright at night. Halprin turned the sign around to face the waterfront instead of taking it down.
A revitalization project improved Ghirardelli Plaza’s aesthetics. It also improved public access. The project promoted year-round activity and environmental sustainability. It combined Halprin’s original design with local plant species. The redesign won the Northern California ASLA Merit Award for Historic Preservation.
Today Ghirardelli Square has many stores. They include Ghirardelli Chocolate Manufactory and the San Francisco Brewing Company. Ghirardelli Square stands as a testament to preservation. It showcases innovative design. It continues to delight visitors. It offers a unique blend of history retail and chocolate.