Formerly: The Fairmont
San Francisco, California · Founded 1907 · Building: 1902–1907
A Nob Hill hotel delayed by the 1906 disaster, reopened under Julia Morgan in 1907, and later tied to the U.N. conference and Tony Bennett's signature song.
The Fairmont San Francisco was nearing its scheduled opening when the April 18, 1906 earthquake and ensuing fire devastated its interior. Its exterior structure survived, and the Fair sisters brought in Julia Morgan to direct the rebuilding work. The hotel opened on April 18, 1907, becoming an enduring Nob Hill landmark and an active Fairmont property.
The Fairmont is scheduled to open on the day the San Francisco earthquake strikes. The building's exterior structure survives, but fire destroys much of the interior and delays the opening.
Source: Fairmont San Francisco, "Our Story"; Fairmont San Francisco, "Fairmont Firsts"
The Fair sisters hire architect Julia Morgan to direct rebuilding work after the earthquake and fire.
Source: Fairmont San Francisco, "Our Story"; Clio, "Fairmont Hotel"
Fairmont San Francisco opens, one year after the earthquake and fire delayed its planned debut.
Source: Fairmont San Francisco, "Our Story"
After repeal of Prohibition, the Fairmont's Cirque Room opens for cocktail service; the hotel describes it as the first San Francisco spot to do so after repeal.
Source: Fairmont San Francisco, "Fairmont Firsts"
Delegates to the United Nations Conference on International Organization use the Fairmont for conference work and discussions connected to drafting the United Nations Charter.
Source: Clio, "Fairmont Hotel"; Parade, Fairmont San Francisco history feature
Tony Bennett first performs I Left My Heart in San Francisco in the Fairmont's Venetian Room.
Source: Fairmont San Francisco, "Our Story"; KTVU, July 21, 2023
Every claim gets rated. A business's own website can never earn "documented."
The Fairmont was nearly complete when the 1906 earthquake struck. Hotel and historical accounts agree that its exterior structure survived, while the ensuing fire devastated the interior and required a year of rebuilding work led by Julia Morgan.
Fairmont San Francisco and multiple local accounts identify the Venetian Room in December 1961 as the first setting in which Tony Bennett performed the song that became his signature.
Fairmont hosted United Nations Conference activity and drafting-related discussions in 1945, but the U.N. Charter was signed at the Veterans' War Memorial Building. The hotel should be credited for its conference role, not described as the signing site.
This audit found no authoritative evidence for a Fairmont tunnel network, its alleged coal-and-utility origin, or use in bootlegging. The hotel does document a different Prohibition-era fact: its Cirque Room opened for cocktails after repeal in 1933.
The hotel's active official site identifies the operating property as Fairmont San Francisco. This audit did not establish the current legal title-holder for the real estate.
The Fairmont was completely destroyed in the 1906 earthquake and rebuilt from scratch.
The hotel was nearly complete when the earthquake struck. Its exterior structure survived, but fire devastated the interior; Julia Morgan directed the rebuilding work that preceded the 1907 opening.
Source: Fairmont San Francisco, "Our Story"; Clio, "Fairmont Hotel"
The United Nations Charter was signed at the Fairmont San Francisco.
The Fairmont hosted United Nations conference activity and drafting-related discussions in 1945. The Charter itself was signed at the Veterans' War Memorial Building.
Source: Clio, "Fairmont Hotel"; Parade, Fairmont San Francisco history feature, May 4, 2026
Fairmont's Prohibition story is about secret bootlegging tunnels.
This audit found no authoritative support for the tunnel claim. The hotel's documented Prohibition-era story is that its Cirque Room opened for cocktails after repeal in December 1933.
Source: Fairmont San Francisco, "Fairmont Firsts"
The Fairmont has survived because it was repaired and reopened as a major post-disaster hotel instead of abandoned after 1906. Its prominence as a Nob Hill destination, its use for high-profile cultural and diplomatic events, and continued brand investment have kept the hotel operational for more than a century. The property has changed corporate hands and management arrangements over time; this audit confirms Fairmont's current operation but does not establish the present title-holding owner.
The Fairmont San Francisco opened on April 18, 1907. It had been scheduled to open exactly one year earlier, but the 1906 earthquake and fire destroyed much of the interior before its debut. Julia Morgan directed the rebuilding work before the hotel opened.
The Fairmont hosted delegates and conference work connected with drafting the United Nations Charter during the 1945 United Nations Conference on International Organization. However, the Charter was signed at San Francisco's Veterans' War Memorial Building, not at the Fairmont.
Yes. Tony Bennett first performed I Left My Heart in San Francisco in the Fairmont's Venetian Room in December 1961. The song later became his signature recording and a lasting part of the hotel's history.
Fairmont operates the hotel, but this audit did not establish the present property-owning entity through a current deed, corporate filing, or comparable primary ownership record. A 2021 report described a different ownership partnership, but that is not enough to identify the owner in 2026.
950 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 772-5000
Check the hotel's official site before visiting for current lobby, restaurant, bar, event, and guest-access policies.