Tonga Room SF (Not) to be demolished? - General Tiki

AT albino tiki Member Chicago Joined: Jun 24, 2008 Posts: 26	AT albino tiki Posted posted on Mon, Dec 8, 2008 5:03 PM My mom worked at the Fairmont Hotel in the mid-50s. As a result, every time we visited San Francisco when I was growing up, we would stay at the hotel and dine at the Tonga Room. I have a real soft spot for the Tonga Room. I am completing an MS in Historic Preservation (actually I'm ABT (all but thesis) for a number of years now and may never complete that darn thing). I live in Chicago and I am not well-versed in California landmarks policies, however, I would be happy to help out in any way that I can. Generally, it is best to pursue landmark designation on the local level. The only laws which can forestall the demolition or alteration of historic properties by private owners are local (county, municipal) landmark laws. These are generally triggered by building permit review and adjudicated by a local landmarks commission. Generally, properties need to be listed prior to the application for a demolition or alteration permit. The Fairmont Hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, however, the NRHP is merely an honorary designation and provides no protection against alteration and demolition. Even local landmarking typically protects only the facade of the building and not the interior so you would probably need to prepare a nomination form specifically for the interior of the Tonga Room. This could be a difficult argument to make since the TR was recently remodeled and much of the "historic fabric" of the room was lost or altered. You might begin by getting a copy of the National Register nomination form for the Fairmont to see what it covers and whether it describes any of the interiors. I don't know whether San Francisco requires owner consent for landmark designation or not, but that would be something important to look into. Again, I must emphasize I have not dealt with landmarking in California, but I would assume that San Francisco would be a lot more preservation friendly than Chicago. Good luck and let me know if I can be of any assistance.

My mom worked at the Fairmont Hotel in the mid-50s. As a result, every time we visited San Francisco when I was growing up, we would stay at the hotel and dine at the Tonga Room. I have a real soft spot for the Tonga Room.

I am completing an MS in Historic Preservation (actually I'm ABT (all but thesis) for a number of years now and may never complete that darn thing). I live in Chicago and I am not well-versed in California landmarks policies, however, I would be happy to help out in any way that I can. Generally, it is best to pursue landmark designation on the local level. The only laws which can forestall the demolition or alteration of historic properties by private owners are local (county, municipal) landmark laws. These are generally triggered by building permit review and adjudicated by a local landmarks commission. Generally, properties need to be listed prior to the application for a demolition or alteration permit.

The Fairmont Hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, however, the NRHP is merely an honorary designation and provides no protection against alteration and demolition. Even local landmarking typically protects only the facade of the building and not the interior so you would probably need to prepare a nomination form specifically for the interior of the Tonga Room. This could be a difficult argument to make since the TR was recently remodeled and much of the "historic fabric" of the room was lost or altered. You might begin by getting a copy of the National Register nomination form for the Fairmont to see what it covers and whether it describes any of the interiors.

I don't know whether San Francisco requires owner consent for landmark designation or not, but that would be something important to look into. Again, I must emphasize I have not dealt with landmarking in California, but I would assume that San Francisco would be a lot more preservation friendly than Chicago. Good luck and let me know if I can be of any assistance.

Post #422720 by albino tiki on Mon, Dec 8, 2008 5:03 PM