SF’s 109-Year-Old Ghirardelli Clock Tower Is Back

After more than a year under scaffolding, the historic Ghirardelli Square clock tower has been fully restored and is once again visible from across San Francisco. The 109-year-old tower, built in 1916 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, underwent a major renovation that included a full roof replacement using more than 2,000 slate tiles sourced from the original Vermont quarry. Decorative details on the dormers and crow’s nest were also carefully rebuilt, and the exterior lighting was upgraded with energy-efficient LEDs.

The restoration took two years to move through city preservation approvals and over 4,800 hours to complete. Even the custom paint color around the windows — dubbed “Ghirardelli Gray” — was created to replicate the original look. While the clock faces still need to be reset by a specialist, the building is now ready to shine for the next century as one of SF’s most recognizable waterfront landmarks.