ARG Conservation Services, Inc.

Owner:

Architect:

J.R. Miller and Timothy Pflueger

General Contractor:

Scope Of Work

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel is a neoclassical gem on San Francisco’s Nob Hill.  Designed by Napoleon LeBrun and Sons in 1909, the building originally housed the western headquarters of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. In 1920, the occupants contracted San Francisco architects J.R. Miller and Timothy Pflueger to expand the structure. The Ritz-Carlton took up residence in 1991 following a major renovation.

Today, the U-shaped building spans a city block and is embellished with massive columns, detailed architrave and cornice, and decorative lion’s head medallions—all constructed of white and polychrome terra cotta by the ceramics firm Gladding McBean, one of the first manufacturers in California.  Among the distinctive features at 600 Stockton is a pediment by the Armenian-American sculptor Haig Patigian, who frequently worked on Pfleuger’s projects.  The building is number 167 on the list of San Francisco Landmarks.

ARG Conservation Services oversaw the restoration of the hotel, acting as the general construction contractor.  The firm managed the repair of the distinctive terra cotta façade—including sealant work and graffiti removal and prophylaxis—and was subsequently contracted to oversee the remaining phases of an ongoing renovation project.  The iconic hotel has remained open throughout the multi-year effort, with minimal impact to the patrons’ experience.