The Jay – a homage to San Francisco

Following a multi-million dollar renovation, The Jay, joined Marriotts Autograph Collection. With interiors by the local San Francisco studio of award-winning global design firm AvroKO, the renovation design embraces The Jay’s brutalist exterior from noted architect John Portman and introduces the concept of ‘warm brutalism’. In honouring the building’s architectural history, the concept of warm brutalism blurs the lines between design modalities, while providing subtle nods to the local artists and creators who served as inspiration.

Image credit: The Jay

While the concrete exterior of the building remains, everything from the porte cochere to the penthouse was reimagined to create a modern and welcoming environment. Guestrooms offer angled floor-to-ceiling windows, drawing in natural light and giving guests views of the Bay, Coit Tower and the downtown skyline. Featuring warm wall coverings, soft furnishings and clean lines, guestrooms offer space for rest, relaxation and work.

Image credit: The Jay

The design blends brutalist shapes with a tone-on-tone palette reflecting calm in both colour and shape. Warm oak wood screens with bronze mirror detailing; custom closet doors inspired by the building’s façade; a stone and walnut console that combines the desk, dresser and mini fridge; custom lighting; and soft custom carpets bring refined and comfortable feel to the rooms.

As guests explore San Francisco, they will recognize touches woven throughout the hotel’s design that were inspired by the sights, sounds and people of the city.

“We’re thrilled to be a part of this exciting new lifestyle hotel right in our backyard,” said Greg Bradshaw, Co-Founder and Principal of AvroKO. “We’ve envisioned The Jay to feel like a ‘friend in the know’ – someplace friendly and warm, but also sophisticated and well crafted. By bringing a layer of warm woods, textured stones, and plasters we were able to honour the building’s original Brutalist structure while giving it a new life and energy that we believe San Francisco’s next chapter can be. We really think this is one of the best hotels in all of SF.”

Image credit: The Jay

Small and large touches throughout the hotel connect back to San Francisco, from wall coverings inspired by Ruth Asawa’s iconic notebook to artist Peggy Caserta’s unique blend of patterns and textures. A three-story circular staircase, featuring bronze castwork by artist Arnaldo Pomodoro and sculptural wood screens, leads to the hotel’s lobby, The Third Floor Restaurant & Lounge and the rooftop terrace bar. The staircase was inspired by one designed by John Portman for his own home.

Image credit: The Jay

The Third Floor Restaurant & Lounge is a modern update to the timeless experience of the hotel lobby restaurant and bar. This upscale, light-filled environment offers a comfortable lounge serving three meals a day, cocktails and a modern spin on traditional afternoon tea. Featuring seasonal menus that reflect the bounty of California, Executive Chef Michael Magallenes is creating a new downtown dining destination.

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“It is fitting that our first hotel partnership is with a property that is a love letter to San Francisco,” said Omakase Restaurant Group CEO and Co-Founder Kash Feng. “This city has brought me so much opportunity to share the foods and flavours that inspire me and we are so excited to now share with even more guests at The Jay”.

Image credit: The Jay

The Jay has over 1,200 square metres of meeting space across 16 distinct meeting areas on two floors. Each meeting room’s unique modern design tells a story that aligns with the San Francisco legend for which the rooms are named. The meeting facilities offer the highest quality meeting amenities and world-class banquet capabilities, with customisable menus featuring local ingredients and to feed the body and soul.

Main image credit: The Jay