Huntington Hotel reopens on San Francisco’s Nob Hill after restoration, reviving Big Four and Nob Hill Spa

A landmark returns after years of uncertainty

The Huntington Hotel, a long-standing Nob Hill fixture at 1075 California Street, has reopened following a multi-year restoration that began after the property closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The hotel’s shutdown stretched far beyond the initial health emergency as ownership and financing issues left the building dark for years, culminating in a default on a $56.2 million mortgage before the project was restarted under new control.

The revival is being led by a partnership involving Flynn Properties and Highgate, which took over the hotel’s delinquent debt in 2023 and moved ahead with a comprehensive rehabilitation of the century-old building. The project centers on restoring historic features while updating the guest experience to match current expectations in the luxury segment.

What has changed inside the 12-story property

The reopened hotel is configured with 143 accommodations split between 71 guest rooms and 72 suites, including a penthouse of roughly 1,500 square feet with panoramic views. The redesign is credited to interior designer Ken Fulk, with a stated focus on bringing back the building’s 1920s-era character while modernizing systems and finishes.

Alongside the interior work, the restoration plan includes exterior upgrades to the brick façade and the return of the hotel’s well-known rooftop sign, a visible marker on the Nob Hill skyline.

• 143 total accommodations: 71 rooms and 72 suites
• Penthouse suite approaching 1,500 square feet
• Restoration work spanning interiors, façade, and rooftop signage

Big Four’s return and a phased reopening to the public

A key part of the Huntington’s comeback is the reopening of the Big Four restaurant, a dining room closely associated with the property’s identity. After being shuttered since 2020, Big Four has resumed service for hotel guests and is scheduled to open to the public on March 15, 2026.

The dining room has been restored to reflect its established look—defined by green leather booths, white tablecloths, wood paneling, and a gallery of historic photographs—while reintroducing live piano performances on Thursday through Saturday evenings. The updated menu combines returning staples, including pot pies, with classic offerings such as filet mignon, pork chops and cioppino, plus a raw bar.

Big Four is scheduled to open to the public on March 15, 2026, after initially returning for hotel guests.

Labor, regulation, and rehiring obligations

The reopening also intersects with California’s hospitality “Right to Recall” requirements, which govern how certain employers must offer available positions to qualified workers laid off during the pandemic. The hotel has been operating under a labor framework that prioritizes eligible union workers for reemployment as staffing ramps up across hotel, restaurant and spa operations.

Why the Huntington’s return matters for the city’s hotel market

In practical terms, the Huntington’s restoration adds back high-end room and suite inventory in a neighborhood anchored by long-established hospitality and cultural landmarks. It also reactivates on-site draws—restaurant, bar, and spa—that historically served both travelers and locals, positioning the property as a full-service luxury hotel rather than a lodging-only reopening.

With reservations already being accepted for 2026 stays and amenities coming online in stages, the project marks one of the most closely watched post-pandemic hotel revivals in San Francisco.