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A Historical Perspective Of The Huntington Hotel...
Since 1924, the Huntington has maintained a long-standing tradition of high
standards and gracious service. Its reputation for quiet, understated luxury
has made the hotel a favorite among savvy travelers who prefer individuality
and elegance. These qualities have enabled the Huntington to play host to
visiting dignitaries, nobility, celebrities, and discriminating business
travelers throughout its existence.
San Francisco's Nob Hill has always been home to the very rich and famous. As
the city grows and changes, one thing remains the same: Nob Hill is still San
Francisco's crown jewel. During the days of the Wild West, Nob Hill was adorned
with the mansions of the great railroad barons of the Central Pacific Line,
affectionately known as the Big 4. They were Charles Crocker, Leland Stanford,
Mark Hopkins, and C.P. Huntington. Later, James Fair and James Flood, who amassed
fortunes during the Gold Rush, also built their mansions high atop the hill. The
Tobin Family, founders of the Hibernia Bank, joined their affluent contemporaries
on Nob Hill in the 1870s with the construction of a very large Victorian home on
the site of what is now the Huntington Hotel.
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Early Beginnings Of The Huntington...
In 1922, construction began on the corner of California and Taylor Streets, former
site of the Tobin mansion. The result was a 12-story, $2.5 million residential
apartment hotel building. Constructed by Weeks and Days, the 140-room Huntington
Apartments was the first steel and brick high-rise west of the Mississippi. In
keeping with Nob Hill's exclusive ambience, the building was described by San
Francisco's Illustrated Daily Herald as the last word in luxury.
The Huntington Apartments offered the finest apartment facilities with the most up-to-date
hotel service, offering a combination of features never before attempted
in the West, reported the Illustrated Daily Herald. Some of the apartments were
installed with San Francisco's first twin wall beds or Murphy beds, Pullman kitchens
with electric stoves, and inset steam radiators. A main kitchen, constructed in the
building to provide room service to its residents, was considered quite the
innovation.
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Transformation Into The Huntington Hotel...
In 1924, Eugene Fritz, a real estate developer who managed the property, purchased the
completed Huntington Apartments. Under Fritz's ownership, the Huntington maintained its
reputation as the West's most elegant apartment building, home to some of San Francisco's
most distinguished citizens for over 20 years.
Following World War II, Fritz – a shrewd businessman – realized the vast potential for
increased transient business to San Francisco due to the city's high visibility during
the war effort. In 1945, he began a two-year renovation program to transform the apartments
into the elegant Huntington Hotel. Instead of reducing the size of the large apartments,
however, he maintained the original room sizes. For this reason, the Huntington's guest
rooms are substantially larger than industry standards. At that time, a cozy lobby was
created on the ground floor with the Zebra Room located directly adjacent to it.
The reputation of the Huntington and Zebra Room quickly spread as it became home to
visiting dignitaries, royalty, top-level executives, and San Francisco’s café society.
Years later, the Romanov Restaurant – a posh nightclub – replaced the Zebra Room,
catering to an exclusive clientele that was fast, flashy, and drawn to such watering
holes as the original Cirque Room.
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Modern History Of The Huntington Hotel...
In 1950, Fritz stunned a male-dominated industry by turning over the hotel's ownership
to his daughter Dorothy Fritz in order to pursue other real-estate interests. As one of
the country's first women to own and manage a hotel, Dolly Fritz expanded the hotel's
exclusive reputation. Her marriage to Newton Cope, a Sacramento real estate developer,
restaurateur, and California historian cemented the family's commitment to Northern
California's hospitality industry.
Under Mrs. Fritz-Cope's leadership, the property underwent a major renovation. Working
with Anthony Hail, she lavishly refurbished the hotel's rooms and suites. Appointed with
antiques, imported silks, and original artwork, they ensured that no two rooms were alike.
The hotel's commitment to service and a strong belief in a guest's right to privacy
attracted a very special clientele. Notable guests of the time included Princess Grace,
the Vanderbilt family, Claudette Colbert, the Rothschilds, and others.
Newton Cope transformed the ground-floor executive offices into the Big 4 Restaurant, one
of the county's most handsome cocktail lounges and dining rooms. Named for the Central
Pacific Railroad's big four tycoons – Huntington, Stanford, Crocker, and Hopkins – the
restaurant's club-like ambience showcases Newton Cope's impressive collection of 19th
century railroad and early California memorabilia.
Currently, a third generation of the Cope family is actively involved in managing the property.
John Cope is president and managing director of Nob Hill Properties, Inc., owners of the Huntington
and La Playa Hotel and Guest Cottages in Carmel; Newton Cope, Jr., is executive vice president of
Nob Hill Properties, Catherine MacMillan is General Counsel; Callaghan Fritz-Cope is property manager
for Nob Hill Properties; Isabelle Fritz-Cope oversees the Big 4 Restaurant and Serena Fritz-Cope
oversees the Nob Hill Spa and boutique.
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