Ghirardelli Square facts for kids
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Pioneer Woolen Mills and D. Ghirardelli Company
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Andrea, the fountain in Ghirardelli Square by Ruth Asawa
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 Location in San Francisco County
Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Location | San Francisco, California, U.S. |
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| Architect | William S. Mooser Sr., William S. Mooser |
| NRHP reference No. | 82002249 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 29, 1982 |
Ghirardelli Square is a famous spot in San Francisco, California. It's a historic area near Fisherman's Wharf, known for its delicious chocolate and unique shops. This landmark was once a busy chocolate factory. Today, it's a fun place where people can explore stores and restaurants.
A part of Ghirardelli Square was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. This means it's a special place that the United States government wants to protect. It was listed under the name Pioneer Woolen Mills and D. Ghirardelli Company.
Contents
The Sweet History of Ghirardelli Square
From Wool to Chocolate: Early Days
The story of Ghirardelli Square began in 1893. That year, a man named Domenico Ghirardelli bought the entire city block. He wanted to make it the main home for his growing Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. For many years, this was where the famous Ghirardelli chocolate was made.
Saving a Landmark: A New Purpose
In the early 1960s, the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company was sold. The new owners moved the factory away from San Francisco. This left the historic buildings empty and up for sale. There was a plan to tear them down and build apartment buildings.
But a mother and son, Lurline Matson Roth and William M. Roth, had a different idea. In 1962, they bought the land to save it. They wanted to keep the square's unique look and history. They hired talented people to help them. These included landscape architect Lawrence Halprin and the architecture firm Wurster, Bernardi & Emmons.
A New Kind of Shopping Center
The Roths and their team turned the old factory buildings into something new. They created a complex with restaurants and shops. This was one of the first big projects in the U.S. to reuse old buildings in a new way. It's called "adaptive reuse." Ghirardelli Square officially opened its new doors in 1964.
In 1965, a special store called Design Research opened in the lower part of the Clock Tower. Today, this area is home to Ghirardelli Square's main chocolate shop. Imagine all the sweet treats you can find there!
Protecting History for the Future
To make sure Ghirardelli Square would be around for many years, it was listed as a historic place in 1982. This helps protect its unique buildings and design. Over the years, the square has changed owners a few times. In 2008, part of the old clock tower became a fancy hotel. In 2013, a company called Jamestown L.P. bought the square.
Cool Design and Special Features
Connecting to Nature and City Life
Ghirardelli Square is located at the edge of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. This means it connects the busy waterfront to beautiful parks. It's a place where city life meets nature.
Lawrence Halprin, the landscape architect, had a big vision for the square. He wanted to show how old city spaces could be saved and made useful again. He hoped Ghirardelli Square would inspire other cities.
Ahead of Its Time: Innovative Design
Ghirardelli Square had many new ideas when it was built:
- Halprin designed all the benches, lights, and other street items himself. This was not common back then.
- A wheelchair ramp was included, which was very rare for buildings at that time.
- The square had an underground garage. But instead of connecting directly to the road, shops were placed at street level. This encouraged people to walk around and enjoy the area.
The Mermaid Fountain: Andrea
In 1968, a beautiful bronze statue was added to Ghirardelli Plaza. It's called Andrea and was made by San Francisco artist Ruth Asawa. The statue shows two mermaids, one with a baby mermaid, surrounded by frogs and turtles. It was designed to remind people of the ocean and connect the square to the nearby bay.
Some people, like Lawrence Halprin, didn't like the fountain at first. But many San Franciscans, especially women, loved it and fought to keep it. And it's still there today!
The Famous Ghirardelli Sign
One challenge was the giant Ghirardelli sign. It was very bright at night, and people living nearby wanted it removed. Instead of taking it down, Halprin had it turned around. Now, it faces the waterfront, lighting up the bay instead of the neighborhood.
Keeping the Original Vision Alive
Over time, some changes were made to Ghirardelli Square. These changes moved away from Halprin's original design. So, before 2017, a project was started to bring back its original beauty and make it even better. The goal was to improve public access, make it more active all year, and use local plants. This redesign won an award for historic preservation.
Shops and Fun at Ghirardelli Square
Today, Ghirardelli Square is still a lively place. It has many different shops and places to eat. Of course, you can find lots of Ghirardelli chocolate! But there are also other unique stores and restaurants to explore.
Places to Visit at the Square
- Broadway Coffee
- Culinary Artistas
- Elizabeth W.
- Ghirardelli Chocolate Manufact
- Ghirardelli Chocolate On The Go!
- Ghirardelli Chocolate Marketplace
- Gigi & Rose
- Gigi & Rose Children
- Jackson & Polk
- Lola of North Beach
- Mashka Jewelry
- McCormick & Kuleto's
- Palette
- Pico
- San Francisco Brewing Company
- Subpar Mini Golf + Arcade
- Square Pie Guys
- Succulence
- Vom Fass
- Yap Designs
See also
