2016-11-21 01:47:07
THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE. CABLE CARS. THESE FAMOUS SAN FRANCISCO ICONS ARE HERE TO STAY. BUT ALL AROUND THEM, CHANGE IS HAPPENING. HERE’S WHAT’S NEW FOR 2017. SAN FRANCISCO HOTEL AVAILABILITY DATES OPTIMAL IN 2017-2018 San Francisco is a powerful magnet for groups of all sizes. With The Moscone Center expanding, there are windows of opportunity at major properties throughout the city. A calendar of property specific hotel availability and promotion dates is also available for major convention hotels. This calendar will be updated quarterly for major convention level hotels. HOTELS An estimated 6,400 hotel rooms at 15 properties from SOMA to Fisherman’s Wharf have been, or are about to be, substantially remodeled. San Francisco Proper, a new luxury lifestyle hotel, opens in the May 2017 near the “Twitterhood.” Yotel San Francisco, featuring 203 “cabins” will debut at 1095 Market in 2017 as well. Marriott’s new edgy Moxy brand will add a 60-room property in Fisherman’s Wharf in 2018. Long-range hotel plans for the San Francisco market include Langham Place near The Moscone Center, a Waldorf Astoria as part of the Oceanwide project near Mission and First Streets, and a new 40-room inn is slated for the Presidio. Plans have also been announced for a highrise hotel at Montgomery and Market. For more hotel updates visit the Media section of sftravel.com where the latest updates are posted. VENUES AND ARENAS The new San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, which includes seven levels dedicated to diverse art experiences and programming space, outdoor terraces as well as indoor and outdoor gallery space, offers unique modern spaces featuring everything from soaring cathedral ceilings to a living wall. Spaces range from approximately 3,000 square feet, ideal for 100-200 attendees, to a “buyout” which will accommodate approximately 2,500. In addition, the Wattis Theater will hold 275 seated. San Francisco has a bumper crop of new venues for special events, MICE groups and off-site activities. SpiN San Francisco, the original ping pong social club hailing from New York, has opened at the corner of Third and Folsom Streets. The new club offers 12,000 square-feet with 19 ping pong tables, a full-service bar, an a la carte menu and room to accommodate more than 500 guests overall. Also new to the events scene, Pier 70, a one-of-a-kind venue in Potrero Hill with capacities of up to 20,000, is capable of hosting large scale corporate parties and expositions. The Pearl, also located nearby, pays homage to history and high tech; designed expressly for corporate events, meetings and social events, the large, flexible space will accommodate up to 700 guests and includes a rooftop terrace. Located in the heart of San Francisco, the majestic San Francisco Mint building offers more than 52,000 square feet of event space and ceiling heights of 30-feet ideal for product launches, immersive experiences and social occasions. Just a few blocks away in the Civic Center area, 1446 Market Street is an elegant, urban venue ideal for small off-site meetings and presentations. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Undergoing a major restoration and renovation, the legendary Curran will reopen its 1,600-seat venue in January 2017. The Asian Art Museum has also announced plans to open a 12,000-square-foot exhibition pavilion; work will begin in 2017. Scheduled to open for the 2019-20 NBA season, the Golden State Warriors’ home court will be Chase Center. Offering more than 18,000 seats the arena will double as a convention, concert and cultural event space. Got an idea that needs nurturing? The Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center, a San Francisco-based non-profit organization, is designed to educate, innovate and connect aspiring and current entrepreneurs. Located on Howard Street, just two blocks from The Moscone Center, it offers a state-of-the-art broadcast studio for training and media events, a pop-up store where entrepreneurs can test products and ideas, and extensive classroom space. One of the few structures to survive the 1906 earthquake, The Hibernia Bank has been an anchor in the city’s mid-Market neighborhood for centuries. Redefining Old World elegance, the building has been completely restored and is an ideal setting for elegant receptions and sit-down dinners. And don’t forget to check out San Francisco’s new SFMeetCulture™ program which allows planners to connect with historically significant art and culture venues. For details on these venues and more than 130 others, see page PD13 or visit the Meeting Planner section of sftravel.com. AIR TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION San Francisco International Airport (SFO) continues to grow. Based on current projections, SFO is estimating 55 million passengers in 2017, another all-time passenger record. New international destinations include Air Berlin to Düsseldorf; from WOW Air nonstop to Reykjavik, Iceland; from Fiji Airways nonstop to Nadi, Fiji; and from United Airlines to five destinations: Auckland, Hangzhou, Singapore, Tel Aviv and Xi’an. China Eastern also added service in the fall of 2016 to Kunming and Qingdao. In October 2016 Singapore Airlines began offering nonstop service to Singapore and Volaris launched Mexico City service that same month. Most recently as part of its 10-Year Capital Improvement Plan, SFO’s Terminal 3/Boarding Area E and Terminal 3 East were fully renovated, elevating the travel experience for passengers and positioning United to strengthen its hub here. Additional projects underway include the redevelopment of Terminal 1 and a second long-term parking garage. SFO’s ultramodern Air Traffic Control Tower opened in July 2016.
©San Francisco. View All Articles.