Exterior Repair for the Ritz Carlton Hotel
Host Marriott Corporation
San Francisco, CA

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel is a landmark building on Nob Hill dating to 1909, designed as the headquarters of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. After subsequent additions and several decades of various uses and owners, the building reopened in 1991 as the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. The massive columns, detailed architrave and cornce, and decorative lion’s head medallions—all constructed of white and polychrome terra cotta—make the Ritz-Carlton a magnificent example of neoclassical design.

In 2004 ARG/CS, as the general conservation contractor, oversaw the restoration of the south façade of the hotel. The repair work involved the restoration of all of the terra cotta comprising the building façade, sealant work at the metal windows, and graffiti removal and prevention using protective coatings.

The hotel has remained opened throughout the project, and one of the goals has been to complete repairs without disturbing the hotel staff and guests. Another goal was to restore the terra cotta to its original splendor. ARG/CS met these goals and works to continue in phases over the next few years.