The Jay

Hotel

San Francisco

CA USA

Hotel

About

The design of The Jay hotel pays homage to its surrounding Brutalist architecture originally authored by architect John Portman. The design balances the existing heavy concrete architecture with warmer materials while still leaning into that heavy Brutalist form-making, resulting in a new language of “Warm Brutalism”.

AvroKO took the Brutalist shell of glass and concrete and transformed it into an ode to San Francisco’s history and historical figures. From the counterculture movement to artists Ruth Asawa and Peggy Caserta, San Francisco’s most famous tastemakers inspired elements small and large throughout the hotel. The transformative thinking of the ‘60s rooted in SF shows up in patterns, distortions, reflections, and different screening elements used throughout the hotel. Ultimately, The Jay emphasizes a warm, tranquil respite that delivers a balance between the intimacy of Portman’s home and a contemporary destination.

Purewow

"A spectacular transformation."

LOCATION

San Francisco

CA USA

Size

637,890 ft² / 59,261 m²

Heart of the Hotel

The Third Floor is the heart of the hotel. It is a bar and lounge, a place for a coffee, and also includes a 3-meal restaurant.

Warm wood slat screens blur the lines between spaces, and the custom floor created with a local tile manufacturer, adds a sense of play that can be casual by day but moody at night. Inspired by John Portman's faceted façade, an outdoor deck space includes a bar, glass partitions, overhead heating and fire pits to create a comfort in multiple seasons and lounge furniture surrounded by fantastic planting around the perimeter.

No items found.

Spotlight on Artwork

The hotel’s spiral staircase serves as a love letter to John Portman, inspired by his own residential home. Openings in the slats reveal a specially commissioned concrete artwork by Guerin that plays with the tension of heavy and soft forms. At the base sits an artwork of pure bronze salvaged from the original project. Created by sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro in cast bronze, it stands tall and connects all three floors.

No items found.

No items found.

"An exquisite architectural fever dream."

7x7

Sweet Suite

The 1,660 sq. ft. “Nest” penthouse suite, nestled atop the hotel, is grounded in the conceptual pillar of “Warm Brutalism.” The suite encompasses a living area, dining area, private king bedroom with ensuite bathroom, and a guest bath.

The guest rooms are exceptionally large, with ample space for a couch, a desk, and great amenities. The angled floor-to-ceiling windows offer guests glimpses of the Bay, Coit Tower and the downtown skyline, while also providing copious natural light on each level.

The suite is a space filled with unique pieces and softly-shaped furniture, creating a gallery-like pied-à-terre in the clouds. The suite is further elevated with carefully selected floor lamps, locally-made vases by an Oakland artist, curated artwork, tabletop books and stationery. Angled floor-to-ceiling windows offer glimpses of the Bay and the downtown skyline while flooding the space with natural light.

Spacious Guest Rooms

The guest rooms are exceptionally large, with ample space for a couch, a desk, and great amenities. The angled floor-to-ceiling windows offer guests glimpses of the Bay, Coit Tower and the downtown skyline, while also providing copious natural light on each level.

Once inside, the rooms become a calming oasis inspired by local artist Ruth Asawa. The color palette highlights dark burgundy reds, rich blacks, touches of bronze metal, light whites and a blend of warm woods that bring a casual air to the more refined, modern design details, creating a distinct ambiance throughout the rooms. Wood screens reminiscent of the lobby, textured wood and leather headboards, warm Brutalist-inspired furnishings and carpet patterns create a very comfortable room for work and play.

Guest Room Vignettes

Featuring warm wall coverings, soft furnishings and clean lines, guest rooms offer vignettes of space for rest, relaxation and work. Bronze and wood accents pick up cues from Ruth Asawa sculptures and paintings.