If you’ve ever walked past the intersection of California and Taylor Streets, you know the vibe. It’s quiet. Expensive. The air feels thinner, not just because you’re at the top of a massive hill, but because the history is heavy. This is where the Scarlet Huntington San Francisco stands—or stood, depending on who you ask and what year they last visited.
Honestly, the story of this place is kind of a wild ride. It’s gone from being the "Huntington Apartments" in 1922 to a playground for Bogart and Bacall, then a "modern chic" experiment called the Scarlet Huntington, and finally, a shuttered landmark that left a hole in the city's heart for years.
But things are changing fast. If you're looking for the red neon sign and the dark-wood charm, you need to know what's actually happening behind those closed doors right now.
The Identity Crisis: Huntington vs. Scarlet Huntington
For decades, everyone just knew it as the Huntington Hotel. It was the "quiet" one. While the Fairmont across the street was busy being grand and the Mark Hopkins was busy being famous, the Huntington was where the real elite went to stay out of the spotlight.
Then came 2011. The hotel was sold to Grace International, a Singapore-based group. They dropped $15 million on a renovation and reopened it in 2014 as the Scarlet Huntington San Francisco.
People were... conflicted.
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The new look was basically a fever dream of Peranakan culture and "Straits Chinese" influence. We’re talking teal snakeskin-covered headboards, dramatic silk curtains, and a whole lot of ruby red. Some locals loved the "Singapore chic" energy. Others? They missed the old-school, stuffy-in-a-good-way Georgian vibe. It was a bold move, trying to mix 20th-century Hollywood with modern Asian design.
Why the Doors Slid Shut
Then 2020 happened. We all know the drill—the pandemic hit, tourism died, and hotels everywhere turned out the lights. But while most SF staples eventually reopened their doors, the Scarlet Huntington stayed dark.
It wasn't just the virus. The ownership group, Woodbridge Capital, defaulted on a massive $56 million loan. The building literally sat in foreclosure. At one point, people were genuinely worried it might be converted into condos or, worse, just rot. Rumors of burst pipes and neglected interiors started swirling. For a while, the only thing "scarlet" about it was the fading paint on the exterior.
The 2026 Revival: Goodbye Scarlet, Hello Legacy
Here is the scoop for 2026. The hotel is no longer the "Scarlet Huntington."
In 2023, Flynn Properties and Highgate stepped in and bought the place at auction for about $29 million. That’s a steal in Nob Hill terms. They’ve spent the last couple of years stripping away some of those "Straits Chinese" design choices to bring back the original 1920s Italian Renaissance Revival soul.
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- Designer Ken Fulk (the guy behind some of the coolest spots in SF and NYC) is leading the redesign.
- The focus is shifting back to a "residential estate" feel.
- They are leaning heavily into the building's status on the National Register of Historic Places.
It’s basically a return to form. The goal isn't to be a trendy boutique hotel anymore; it's to be the luxury house on the hill again.
What About the Big 4?
You can’t talk about this hotel without mentioning the Big 4 Restaurant. It’s named after the railroad tycoons (Stanford, Huntington, Hopkins, and Crocker) who basically owned San Francisco back in the day.
This place was—and is—the ultimate "power lunch" spot. Dark green leather booths. Original 19th-century artifacts. A piano player who actually knows the classics. It was one of the few places in the city where you could get a wild boar chop or venison chili while surrounded by memorabilia from the Central Pacific Railroad.
The good news? The new owners knew better than to mess with a legend. The Big 4 is coming back with the reopening, restored but keeping that clubby, gold-rush-era atmosphere.
The Nob Hill Spa: Still the Best View in Town?
The spa was always the Scarlet Huntington’s secret weapon. It’s spread over three levels and features an indoor "infinity-edge" pool that looks right out over the city skyline.
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Even when the hotel was struggling, the spa had a cult following. There’s something about sitting by a fireplace in a robe while looking at the Gothic spires of Grace Cathedral that just makes you feel like you’ve made it. Expect the 2026 version to be even more high-end, with a 20-page treatment menu and those legendary eucalyptus steam rooms.
Practical Insights for Your Visit
If you're planning a trip to Nob Hill or just curious about a staycation, here's the reality of the location:
- The Hill is No Joke: If you're walking from Union Square, it’s a vertical climb. Take the California Street cable car. It drops you off literally right in front of the door.
- Room Choice Matters: The building was originally an apartment complex. This means the rooms are way bigger than your average SF hotel. If you can, snag a room on the 8th floor or higher. The views of the bay and the fog rolling over the Cathedral are unbeatable.
- New Additions: Look out for Arabella’s, a brand-new bar being introduced to complement the Big 4. It’s supposed to be the more "social" counterpart to the restaurant’s quiet dignity.
Nob Hill has always been a "nabob" (wealthy person) neighborhood. While the Scarlet Huntington era was a colorful chapter, the hotel is finally returning to its roots as a quiet, powerful landmark.
Actionable Next Steps
Check the official booking sites for the grand reopening dates in early 2026. If you're a fan of the old Big 4, keep an eye on their reservation books, as they are expected to fill up months in advance with locals hungry for that old-school SF vibe. If you have an old gift certificate from the "Scarlet" era, now is the time to contact the new management at Highgate to see if they’ll honor the value toward the new spa services.