Exciting news! One of SF’s most storied landmark hotels – the Westin St. Francis on Union Square – just completed the remodel and renovation of its equally famous “Imperial floor” ballrooms. It took three months, and the result, as revealed two days ago with an elegant cocktail party for event professionals, is just gorgeous!

The way time-honored traditions go is that they hold on to the glories of the past – and that is good and comforting for a long time. Here are the two ballrooms on the “Imperial” (32nd) floor before the remodel – Alexandra’s in golden hues…

… and Victor’s, a folly in soft pinks and baby blues…

Holding on to this turn-of-the-century glamour was a comforting tradition and had become a “gold standard” in San Francisco , until, of course, it was time to bring everything up to today’s standards and esthetic sensibilities and start a new tradition and standard of excellence! And that is exactly what happened here.

Riding up the glass elevators to the 32nd floor and taking in gorgeous City views has not changed…

… but once you step out on the “St. Francis Heights” floor ( that’s what the 32nd floor is called now) – everything is breathtakingly new!

Mirrored walls with a subtle etched Art Deco pattern with matching consoles set the tone in the elevator lobby – everything now in elegant cool shades of silver, grey and shimmering glass and mirror.

Turn to your right, and there is the new “Golden Gate Room” (formerly Alexandra’s) transformed into glamorous modernity:

… with boldly-patterned grey carpeting, silvery-grey draped curtains (reminiscent of the flowy gowns of silver-screen goddesses…) and stunning modern chandeliers creating a “sky of glittering stars” overhead. The views are, of course, gorgeous as always!

But you haven’t even see half of it! Return through the elevator lobby to the other side of the building to where Victor’s Ballroom used to be – now it’s called “Mission Bay” …

Mission Bay has a large foyer, spacious enough to be a function room in its own right, for example to host a good-sized Cocktail Hour:

… and maybe offer wedding cake, dessert bar (delicious verrines and mini desserts by the onsite patissier) or a candy bar (here by SF Candy Bar):

… of course, everything with that breathtaking “million-dollar” view!

Now – isn’t that drop-dead gorgeous?!! I can only recommend to go and see it for yourself. It’s even more impressive in reality, and I can’t wait to design events in this new beautiful space. “St. Francis Heights” is definitely the new gold standard for elegant events in the City.