History in the Making at the Cliff House; Groundbreaking Slated for January 2003; Restaurant and Gift Shop to Remain Open for Business During Renovation

Business Wire, Jan 14, 2003

News/Dining Editors

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 14, 2003

At the groundbreaking ceremony Jan. 23, 2003, a new chapter will begin for the Cliff House as the historic restaurant enters its fourth incarnation.

A sweeping renovation is carefully planned so that the restaurant and gift shop will remain open the entire time. The new restaurant space will serve as a bridge between past and present, restoring the character and dignity of the neoclassical structure of 1909 and adding a new wing that draws on architectural elements of the old Sutro Baths. The project, which is estimated at $14 million, is scheduled for completion in late spring of 2004.

The original Cliff House, a modest structure built in 1863 -- and its second, chateau-style incarnation commissioned by San Francisco mayor Adolph Sutro -- were both destroyed by fires. The 1909 structure, built by Sutro's daughter Dr. Emma Merritt, is what now remains, though it has been obscured by a century of add-ons.

Since the 1850s this area has been used by San Franciscans and visitors in order to experience the scenery and recreational opportunities associated with the shoreline, beach and ocean. Today the region is part of the National Park Service and is administered by the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The project designer is Principal David Robinson of C. David Robinson Architects (CDRA) in San Francisco, with Mark Hulbert of Preservation Architecture in Oakland. Associate Debra Lehtone is CDRA's Project Architect for the Cliff House.

The renovation will result in two restaurants. The present dining room, in the historic building, will be transformed into a bistro serving shellfish and lighter fare and offering deli takeout, while the new North Sutro Wing will house a dramatic two-story dining room that offers panoramic views of the ocean, entrance to the Sutro Baths, San Francisco Bay and Marin coastline. The new main restaurant will offer an expanded menu of American-style cuisine with a seafood emphasis, including California abalone, live lobster, house-smoked sturgeon, and other fresh local fish. The Cliff House Gift Shop will also move to the new wing.

In addition, there will be a new grand entry lobby with a sitting lounge that links the two restaurants; three publicly accessible observation decks with southern, northern, and western views; and improved parking and traffic flow. Architecturally, the contemporary wing will be understated, built of natural materials to blend in with the scenic coastline, and deferential to the historic structure. The new building will be lower to the ground and therefore less of a view obstruction to passers-by. Nontoxic materials will be used, and the Cliff House's old redwood will be salvaged for reuse.

The renovation also means full accessibility for disabled persons. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the new facility will feature a passenger elevator from the sidewalk to the Cliff Terrace and all public observation decks, as well as provide more accessible parking spaces.

Dan and Mary Hountalas, proprietors of the Cliff House since 1973, see the renovation as long overdue. "We've been consumed by all the details, working closely with the National Park Service to meet the requirements and still give the public a new, refurbished gem," Hountalas said. "There's so much history in the Cliff House. We have employees whose parents used to work here. We hope to preserve that history but also infuse it with a sense of vitality for the new Cliff House."

The National Park Service recognized the tremendous interest generated by the public in this world-class site. "We hope the newly renovated Cliff House will become an oasis of history and recreation for visitors and residents alike," said Brian O'Neill, superintendent of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). The Sutro Historic District is approximately 78 acres and is bounded on the north by the Pacific Ocean, the east by Fort Miley, 48th Avenue, and the Outer Richmond residential neighborhood, on the south by Ocean Beach, and the west by the Pacific Ocean. It contains several distinct areas -- Sutro Heights Park, The Cliff House, Sutro Baths Site, and Lands End -- and is accessed by Point Lobos Avenue/Great Highway.

The Cliff House will hold a public auction Feb. 12 and feature Cliff House artifacts including kitchen equipment, antiques, flatware, china, tables, chairs, and pictures. For more information, call the restaurant at 415/386-3330.

The Cliff House is located at 1090 Point Lobos Avenue in GGNRA's Sutro District. The Cliff House offers spectacular views of Ocean Beach, Seal Rock, and the rolling hillsides of Marin County. For further information or to obtain digital photographs, visit C. David Robinson Architects at http://www.cdrobinson.com. For further information on the National Park Service visit http://www.nps.gov/goga. To make a reservation or for more information about the Cliff House, call 415/386-3330 or visit http://www.cliffhouse.com. Media contact: Susie Biehler & Co, 415/771-9975, susie@biehler.com, http://www.biehler.com.