Restoration

We are excited to begin restoration of the boathouse modeled after efforts in our other award-winning showcase locations, such as Muir Woods Trading Company, El Rancho Hotel, Simply Santa Fe and Ortega's on the Plaza. Find out more about our restoration projects. We are sourcing regional labor, materials and environmental consultants. With the completion of this renovation, Golden Gate Park will gain a venue for respite, relaxation and community gatherings.

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Our proposed improvements will increase the boathouse's integrity by:

Restoring and increasing the overall aesthetic experience for visitors. Aesthetic changes will give a truer perspective to visitors and will reclaim the historic charm of the boathouse.
Increasing the selection and quality of food offerings. These offerings will be sustainably produced and local – truly representative of the bounty of food available in the Bay Area.
Providing newer and safer boats that also provide a greater variety of experiences for our wide range of customers.
Stabilizing and preserving the boathouse for future customers through our initial up-front improvements, and our rigorous preventive and cyclic maintenance program.

Food Service Area

We will pay homage to the traditional use of the room and will incorporate a number of design elements to let people know that the space was originally a working boathouse. The goal is to let visitors recall the historical importance of where they are while providing a relaxed environment in which they can enjoy a snack and beverage lakeside. We hope that local artists and visitors alike will see Stow Lake and the restored boathouse as an inspiration to their work, their life and their happiness.

Historic records and photographs of the Stow Lake Boathouse reveal that both the original two-story structure and the current building were originally a place of pride for the City of San Francisco. The boathouse offered respite for visitors who were enjoying Golden Gate Park, and the food and offerings were commensurate to the natural beauty of the area. For its time and Park location, the historic food offerings were arguably of very high relative quality. Moreover, the boathouse itself was an important landmark and aesthetic experience for visitors.

The exterior of the Stow Lake Boathouse is an iconic cultural and architectural treasure. Restoration, stabilization, and upkeep of this exterior are crucial for a good customer experience and for the City of San Francisco.

Roof: If the City will allow, we propose to investigate the current integrity of the roof in order to better ensure building preservation and customer experience. Since the building will be closed for renovation regardless, it may be appropriate to initiate repairs at this time. If we are not permitted to do so, we will still repair and replace the roof as needed during the course of the lease.
Windows and Sills: The majority of windows and surrounding woodwork on the boathouse have various forms of mold or other growths that are compromising the integrity of the building. Some of them are also cracking and are warped. More than simply a bad aesthetic, which offends visitors, the building seal has been violated by nature and can cause permanent corrosion to the inside of the building. We commit to clean, seal, repair, and maintain these windows to preserve the buildings and to create a better visual experience for guests.

Proposed Floor Plan

Our remodel will establish an indoor café that will seat 32 to 36 guests. These seats will provide a respite from the sun and rain, or act as a meeting place for visitors. Based on our other similar café operations, we envision this area to be a visitor and community meeting place. We already have many neighborhood organizations excited about having this intimate setting for their groups to exchange ideas and create an informal no entrance fee forum that has never before been seen in Golden Gate Park.

Highlights include:

Limited movement of existing interior walls
Limited storage upstairs for critical items, such as life jackets and limited food storage
An ADA-accessible unisex restroom for public use
Seating for 32 to 36 diners in the café
The ability to order outside or inside (we will carefully manage the service line to not cause queuing problems)
A small and cozy coffee-house room