This was a full re-positioning of an existing hotel all spaces. A new life and a new vision. Our design goal was to celebrate a city whose many visionaries have radically changed society’s views on music, literature and social norms. The look is a playful homage to all the revolutionary ideas that have defined the unique spirit and ideals of San Francisco and its impact on today’s culture, technology and lifestyle. From Kerouac to Ginsburg, Grateful Dead, Santana, Harvey Milk, and Steve Jobs; a nod to the past and an open appreciation of the attitude that comes with ‘norm breaking’ and taking risks to be original and relevant. Details were meticulously designed to layer in the buildings counter culture history. The hotel is comprised of two separate buildings. The primary building was built in 1913 as the Cecil Hotel. The other building was the former Press Club of San Francisco, home to journalists and writers. It is a historically protected, prominent landmark building. The original hand troweled plaster moldings and cornice trims, brick walls, the classical stairwells are all historic and had to be retained. The original hotel had a card and music room where members of the ‘Beat’s’ would meet. Today that room is our game room, deemed ‘Peace’, a modern take on the card room with games, billiards etc. and connects to the hotels meeting room.