Post #526837 by thejab on Wed, Apr 28, 2010 5:34 PM

Today the Draft Environmental Impact Report for 950 Mason Street – Fairmont Hotel Project was released to the public here:

http://www.sfplanning.org/index.aspx?page=1828

THE GOOD NEWS:

From sections IV. Environmental Setting, Impacts, and Mitigation,
D. Cultural and Paleontological Resources

The California Register defines an “object” as, “…those constructions that are primarily artistic in nature
or are relatively small in scale and simply constructed, as opposed to a building or structure. Although it
may be moveable by nature of design, an object is associated with a specific setting or environment.” The
California Register also states that an object should be located in an appropriate setting in order to convey its significance. The Planning Department’s HRER concludes that the Tonga Room is an individually
eligible resource under the California Register architecture C/3 Criterion as a “collection of objects” that
dictate their own significance as related to a specific context described below.

The Tonga Room represents a rare remaining example of a distinct phase in post-World War II popular
culture, and includes a substantial number of its distinctive characteristics. Its use of both real (remnants of S.S. Forester) and faux South Pacific and nautical elements, the swimming pool now converted lagoon, the association with designers noted for their connection with important developments in popular culture, and the variety of features used to create the illusion (such as the simulated thunderstorms) make the Tonga Room a strong example of Tiki design. These features recall the architectural design of other Tiki themed restaurants.

Escape was part of the original premise of Tiki bar designs; however, a unique feature of the Tonga Room
that separates it from the majority of other Tiki bars of the period is that the designers were successful in creating a venue where patrons are encouraged to participate in the Tonga Room experience though the
design and placement of the elaborate features. The Tonga Room plays heavily on all sensory perceptions
and the patron’s interaction and immersion within the created environment is critical to understanding its
significance. The Tonga Room represents a collection of objects that were designed, constructed or
manufactured, and located within a specific setting in order to create a stylistic expression and all encompassing experience. Some elements of the interior that are defined as objects and that contribute to
this experience include the half-hourly tropical storm system and its function. Boat Decks A and B, the
Canoe House, the Band Boat, the Island Huts 1 and 2 as well as other character-defining features such as
electric tiki torches and sconces, lava rocks, wood paneling, rattan, and various Polynesian artifacts and
statuary.

The Tonga Room is one of the last major, formally-designed Tiki-themed bars in California that remains
in its original location; with the great majority of its original interior design and décor intact. Specifically, the San Francisco Bay Area previously featured a greater breadth of Tiki culture. Trad’r Sam’s on Geary Boulevard is the only other establishment in the area from the initial era of Tiki design which is still in operation.

The Tonga Room exhibits exceptional importance due to its rarity and as one of the best examples of a
“high-style” Tiki bar/restaurant in San Francisco and California. More than a series of decorative
Polynesian elements, the Tonga Room creates an outdoor environment within an interior space providing
the visitor with a transformative experience to another place and time.32 The Tonga Room, as it is
conveyed as a collection of objects depicted in the design by Howard Hirsch Interior Design and
manufactured and supplied by Oceanic Arts, appears to be individually eligible under the California
Register under the architecture C/3 Criterion. While Hirsch passed away in 1997, the firm exists today
and is still known as a highly regarded design firm that specializes in hotel interiors. Oceanic Arts,
founded by Bob van Oosting and Leroy Schmaltz, still operates as a supplier of Polynesian-themed
products and was responsible for the majority of materials and architectural elements of the Tonga Room.
The Tonga Room embodies the distinctive characteristics of a “high-style” Tiki Bar from the post World
War II period. The period of significance for the Tonga Room is 1967: the year the Howard Hirsch
Interior Design was completed.33,34 Given this, the Tonga Room is a historical resource for the purposes
of CEQA 15064.5(a)(3).

THE BAD NEWS:

Impact CP-1b The proposed project would cause a substantial adverse change in the significance
the Tonga Room, an historic resource (Significant and Unavoidable Impact)

[Criterion D.a]
The Tonga Room is located in the existing podium structure proposed to be demolished as part of the
proposed project. The proposed demolition would remove all character-defining features of the Tonga
Room and this would constitute a substantial adverse change. Relocation of the Tonga Room is not part
of the proposed project.

The Tonga Room is not specifically included in the 2001 NRHP nomination of the Fairmont Hotel.
However, as previously discussed on p. IV.D-24, based on the HRE prepared by Knapp Architects and
the HRER prepared by the Planning Department57, the Tonga Room appears to be eligible for the CRHR.
The proposed demolition of the Tonga Room would therefore be considered a significant impact to a
historic resource under CEQA.

A survey and documentation for the Historic American Building Survey (HABS) (or similar level of
photo documentation) would preserve a record of the Tonga Room (See Mitigation Measure M-CP-1b,
pp. IV.D-37 to IV.D-39). However, this mitigation measure would not reduce the impact to a less-than significant level. The proposed project would result in a significant and unavoidable impact to the Tonga
Room, even with the implementation of Mitigation Measure M-CP-1b.

Alternatives to the proposed project as they pertain to the Tonga Room are discussed in more detail in
Chapter VI, Alternatives.

M-CP-1b: HABS Level I Documentation, Stabilization, & Salvage
If the affected historic resource (Tonga Room) can neither be preserved at its current site, nor moved to
an alternate site and it is to be demolished, a conservation team that meets the Secretary of the Interior’s
Professional Qualification Standards shall document, stabilize, and salvage the character-defining
features, associated with the affected historic resource, for their storage in a secure climate-controlled
location and in a manner to be protected from accelerated deterioration, theft, vandalism, damage, rodents
and pests, or adverse environmental conditions. Character-defining features noted as ephemeral finishes,
such as wallpaper and the significant features of the lagoon, which are found in large quantities, do not
need to be salvaged in their entirety. They shall be salvaged in quantities suitable for educational purposes and/or replication in an alternate location. The documentation, stabilization, and salvage program shall remove and retain all of the Tonga Room’s character-defining features for public information and
education, and/or reuse in an alternate off-site location. Demolition may proceed only after character defining features have been documented in their historic locations and their removal has been completed.

We all know that your can't preserve a classic tiki bar just by salvaging the decor for possible display in a museum. In the draft EIR they even stated (bold added by me):

The Tonga Room is composed of the following major character-defining objects and features. It is
important to note that the setting of the objects and features is a crucial component that is required for the resource to convey its significance. The characteristics of the following spaces – Entry alcove, Vestibule, Hurricane Bar, Dance Floor, Boat Decks A and B, Lagoon,35 Canoe House, Island Huts 1 and 2, and the Wharf. The Tonga Room contains the following character-defining objects and features:
• The existing wall applications: including lava rock, wood panel, Lauhala mats, rattan, bamboo
and any other materials that date from the 1967 remodel.
• The “architectural” objects: the Canoe House. Island Huts 1-2, the four palapas near the Island
Huts, the Hurricane Bar, the Wharf area, Boat Decks A and B, the Lagoon (Plunge Swimming
Pool) and the Band Boat. The significant features of the Lagoon are the coping, associated lava
rocks, and pool tiles.
• Other character-defining objects and features: the half-hourly tropical storm located above the
lagoon, statuary, including the multiple carved Polynesian artifacts such as the numerous Tikis
located throughout the space, the canoe located in the Canoe House, the carved balustrades and
other elements of the S.S. Forester; light fixtures such as the electric tiki torches and sconces; the
Vishnu statue near the entrance, and signage near the entrance.
• Features or objects that are not character-defining features include carpeting, some wood flooring,
upholstery, ephemeral wall hangings, and furniture.

The Tonga Room retains a high level of historical integrity. The objects associated with its significance,
including the overall spatial characteristics of its setting, date from the 1967 remodel. There have been
some upgrades to the Tonga Room since 1967: it appears that carpeting, furniture upholstery, the dance
floor surface, the bar top on the Hurricane Bar, several wall hangings and light fixtures were replaced or
upgraded in a 2007–2008 remodel. These non-contributing alterations present only a limited impact on
the ability of the original elements’ location, setting, design, workmanship, materials, association, and
feeling to convey their significance. Thus, the Tonga Room is an historical resource for the purposes of
CEQA Section 15064.5(a)(3)

I think that overall the news is good, as the Planning Department has identified it as a significant cultural resource, eligible for State listing . If it is listed perhaps the developers will be influenced enough to save it, or move it into a portion of the hotel.