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63-525: The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel is a historic hotel located two blocks from Union Square at the intersection of Geary Street and Taylor Street, San Francisco , California . In 1913, Frederick C. Clift, an attorney from a large family in the Sierra foothills, commissioned a 300-room hotel on a lot the family had inherited. The architect, a former student of Ecole de Beaux Arts , was George Applegarth and Kenneth A. MacDonald Jr. of MacDonald and Applegarth,

126-697: A Union general in the American Civil War . He was the final alcalde and first mayor of San Francisco , a governor of the Kansas Territory , and the 16th governor of Pennsylvania . Geary was born near Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania , in Westmoreland County —in what is today the Pittsburgh metropolitan area . He was the son of Richard Geary, an ironmaster and schoolmaster of Scotch-Irish descent, and Margaret White,

189-576: A brigade in Maj. Gen. Nathaniel Banks 's corps, which he led in the Shenandoah Valley against Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson . His brigade joined Maj. Gen. John Pope's Army of Virginia in late June. He led it at the Battle of Cedar Mountain on August 9, 1862, where he was seriously wounded in the arm and leg. He returned to duty on October 15 as the division commander; the corps was now part of

252-644: A construction engineer for the Allegheny Portage Railroad . In 1843, he married Margaret Ann Logan, with whom he had several sons, but she died in 1853. Geary then married the widowed Mary Church Henderson in 1858 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania . Geary was active in the state militia as a teenager. In December 1846, during the Mexican–American War , he was commissioned in the 2nd Pennsylvania Infantry, serving as lieutenant colonel . He led

315-552: A defensive position on Culp's Hill , the extreme right of the Union line. On the second day, heavy fighting on the Union left demanded reinforcements and Geary was ordered to leave a single brigade, under Brig. Gen. George S. Greene , on Culp's Hill and follow another division, which was just departing. Geary lost track of the division he was supposed to follow south on the Baltimore Pike and inexplicably marched completely off

378-532: A discounted rate on the day of the performance. At the end of Powell Street two blocks south, where the cable cars turn around beside Hallidie Plaza at Market Street , is a growing retail corridor that is connected to the SOMA district. Nob Hill , with its grand mansions, apartment buildings, and hotels, stands northwest of Union Square. Directly northeast is Chinatown , with its famous dragon gate at Grant Avenue and Bush Street. The city's historic French Quarter

441-436: A dispute between army commander Maj. Gen. George G. Meade and Slocum over the filing of their official reports, little public notice ensued. The XII Corps was transferred west to join the besieged Union army at Chattanooga . Geary's son Edward died in his arms at the Battle of Wauhatchie , enraging him sufficiently to prevail in a battle in which his division was greatly outnumbered. He distinguished himself in command during

504-588: A harassing manner toward homeless people at times, to deter them from being there. In 2016, the vacancy rate around Union Square was only 3%. Since then, high levels of crime and homelessness have become more prominent features of Union Square and neighboring neighborhoods. During 2020, the vacancy rate in the area rose to 9.4% after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic . In May 2023, The San Francisco Standard counted 203 retailers operating in or near Union Square as of 2019. This count omitted tenants of

567-575: A hero of the Spanish–American War for his victory at the Battle of Manila Bay in 1898. The monument was dedicated in 1903. Beginning in 2009, painted heart sculptures from the Hearts in San Francisco public art installation have been installed in each of the square's four corners. The Tiffany Building is an 11-story, 100,000-square-foot (9,300 m ) building at Union Square;

630-493: A large underground parking garage was built under the square; this meant the plaza's lawns, shrubs and the Dewey monument were now on the garage "roof." Designed by Timothy Pflueger , it was the world's first underground parking garage. For many decades, Union Square was the largest retail shopping district outside of New York and Chicago, the place that everyone in San Francisco and the larger San Francisco Bay Area visited "on

693-555: A month preparing for his new position and then left for the territory. While traveling up the Missouri River, his boat docked at Glasgow, Missouri , where he happened upon recently fired governor Wilson Shannon . They briefly discussed the " Bleeding Kansas " crisis and Geary had previously met with Missouri governor Sterling Price , who promised Geary that Free-staters would be allowed safe passage through Missouri. Geary arrived at Fort Leavenworth on September 9 and went to

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756-529: A native of Maryland . Starting at the age of 14, he attended nearby Jefferson College in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania , studying civil engineering and law, but was forced to leave before graduation due to the death of his father, whose debts he assumed. He worked at a variety of jobs, including as a surveyor and land speculator in Kentucky , earning enough to return to college and graduate in 1841. He worked as

819-608: A political independent, attacking the political influence of the railroads and vetoing many special interest bills. On February 8, 1873, less than three weeks after leaving the governor's post, Geary was fatally stricken with a heart attack while preparing breakfast for his infant son in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania . He was 53 years old. He was buried in Harrisburg with state honors in Mount Kalmia Cemetery , now,

882-477: A relevant commercial center, and closed storefronts in the areas in and around Union Square. Despite this, Union Square in San Francisco is still a major retail hub for the city. Union Square was originally a large sand dune , and the square was later set aside to be made into a public park in 1850. Union Square got its name from the pro-Union rallies held there on the eve of the Civil War. The monument itself

945-508: A semi-regular basis, whether they were looking for a night on the town or a place to buy the basics". During the middle part of the 20th century, "going downtown" for a full day of lavish shopping and eating was a special treat for Bay Area residents—to the point that families often dressed up for the occasion. Over time, both locals and tourists began to drift off to other neighborhoods slowly, leaving Union Square to "conventioneers and casual tourists". The area became somewhat derelict during

1008-602: A shopping mall built in 1988 on nearby Market Street. Nordstrom was formerly an anchor at Emporium Centre and also operated a Nordstrom Rack store a block away, but closed both stores in 2023. A mix of upscale boutiques and popular retailers occupy many buildings surrounding Union Square. Among the luxury retailers that front Union Square are Louis Vuitton , Gucci , Bulgari , Loro Piana , Moncler , and jeweler Tiffany & Co. ; while flagship Victoria's Secret , Williams Sonoma , Nike , and Apple stores also occupy buildings surrounding Union Square. Other notable brands in

1071-478: A single redwood tree. Canadian Four Seasons Hotels acquired an interest in the hotel in 1976, and began managing it as their first US property. Two years later, in 1978, they renamed it the Four Seasons Clift Hotel . On February 21, 1995, Four Seasons sold their interest in the property and it became The Clift, a Grand Heritage Hotel. Ian Schrager Hotels took over management in 1997, and

1134-468: A small upscale flagship store for Banana Republic reopened in October 2023. On February 27, 2024, it was reported that Macy's would be closing their West Coast flagship store at Union Square as part of a plan to close 150 stores nationwide by the end of 2026. Macy's stated that the store would remain open until the property was sold to a new owner. More than 400 employees were expected to be impacted during

1197-643: A stool by Roberto Matta (inspired by René Margritte). Sonesta Hotels assumed management of the hotel in May 2018 and it was renamed The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel . The hotel closed from September 2019 to January 2020 for major renovations to the guest rooms, lobby and the Redwood Room. Union Square, San Francisco, California Union Square is a 2.6-acre (1.1-hectare) public plaza bordered by Geary , Powell , Post, and Stockton Streets in downtown San Francisco , California . "Union Square" also refers to

1260-603: Is Maiden Lane , a short and narrow alley of exclusive boutiques and cafes that leads to the Financial District and boasts the Xanadu Gallery, San Francisco's only building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright —with its interior most notable for being the predecessor for New York City's Guggenheim Museum . The square is part of the Barbary Coast Trail , linking many San Francisco landmarks. During

1323-547: Is also a tribute to the sailors of the United States Navy. Union Square was built and dedicated by San Francisco's first American mayor John Geary in 1850 and is so named for the pro-Union rallies by Thomas Starr King that happened there before and during the United States Civil War . Since then the plaza has undergone many notable changes, one of the most significant happening in 1903 with

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1386-430: Is celebrated for its historic Magneta Grandfather Clock. It is believed to be the only hotel in the world that offers its guests, as a courtesy, a coin washing service. The process originated in 1938 at a time when high-society ladies wore white gloves that were easily tarnished during the exchange of money. It uses borax soap in an antiquated, manually-operated burnisher. Union Square has also come to describe not just

1449-469: Is northeast of Union Square and centers on the Belden Place alleyway between Bush and Pine Streets and Claude Lane off Bush Street. This area has many open-air French Restaurants and Cafes. Every year, the area is the site of the boisterous Bastille Day celebration, the nation's largest of its kind, and Bush Street is temporarily renamed "Buisson." Directly east of the square off of Stockton Street

1512-604: The Army of the Potomac , designated the XII Corps , under the command of Maj. Gen. Henry W. Slocum . Geary's division was heavily engaged at Chancellorsville , where he was knocked unconscious as a cannonball shot past his head on May 3, 1863. (Some accounts state that he was hit in the chest with a cannonball.) At the Battle of Gettysburg , Slocum's corps arrived after the first day's (July 1, 1863) fighting subsided and took up

1575-525: The Battle of Lookout Mountain , the entire Atlanta Campaign , Sherman's March to the Sea , and the Carolinas Campaign . He oversaw the surrender of Savannah, Georgia , and briefly served as the city's military governor, where he was breveted to major general. After the war, Geary was elected Governor of Pennsylvania in 1866 , serving two terms from 1867 to 1873. He established a reputation as

1638-494: The Westfield San Francisco Centre ; it counted only true retailers and omitted service-oriented establishments like restaurants. Four years later, only 107 (53%) of those retailers were still in business, while 96 (47%) had closed. As of March 2024, large portions of Union Square and the surrounding area were "in sorry shape" with block after block of vacant storefronts. The February 27, 2024 news of

1701-437: The holiday season , an ice skating rink and Christmas tree are set up. Over the years, Union Square became a popular shopping destination. Several department stores sit within the three-block radius of Union Square, including Neiman Marcus , Macy's , and Saks Fifth Avenue . Barneys New York formerly operated a Union Square store which closed in 2019. Bloomingdale's anchors the nearby Emporium Centre San Francisco ,

1764-508: The super-rich , but that was not enough to "attract San Franciscans or Bay Area residents who want to feel like they’re part of a real scene, be it cutting-edge or timelessly urbane." In August 2024, Placer.ai released aggregate cell phone data showing that Union Square was the only area of San Francisco where foot traffic was still declining after the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Placer.ai, "estimated foot traffic fell nearly 9% during

1827-596: The Harrisburg Cemetery. Geary was made a Mason at Sight on January 4, 1847, in Pennsylvania (Philanthropy Lodge #255), just before he left with his troops to fight in the Mexican War. During the Civil War, he was the commanding Union general at the fall of Savannah, Georgia . He placed Federal troops about the quarters of Solomon's Lodge No. 1 to save it from looting and damage. Later, while Geary

1890-793: The U.S. Senate. Instead, he worked with the Free-staters to create a plan for Kansas to be admitted to the Union under the Topeka constitution as a free state, with himself as governor of a Democratic administration. Support for this plan in Congress was lacking. Geary soon began to fear for his personal safety after his private secretary, Dr. John Gihon, was assaulted by proslavery ruffians. Geary submitted his resignation to incoming President James Buchanan , expecting that he would be reappointed. Instead, Buchanan fired Geary on March 12, 1857, with an effective date of March 20. In his farewell message to

1953-669: The United States, making Union Square a major tourist destination and a well-known gathering place in downtown San Francisco. The Dewey Monument is situated at the center of Union Square. It is a statue of Nike, the ancient Greek goddess of victory . The COVID-19 pandemic in the United States led to an exodus of companies from Downtown San Francisco, particularly affecting the Union Square retail district. Many retailers have cited high levels of crime, open-air drug use, homelessness , doubts about San Francisco's viability as

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2016-408: The area was seeing increased traffic from international tourists while Bay Area locals and U.S. domestic tourists stayed away. On the afternoon of August 31, 2024, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot in the chest during an attempted robbery at Geary and Grant Streets just east of Union Square. Pearsall was admitted to San Francisco General Hospital , treated, and released

2079-426: The battlefield, eventually reaching Rock Creek. His two brigades finally returned to Culp's Hill by 9:00 pm that night, arriving in the midst of a fierce fire fight between a Confederate division and Greene's lone brigade. This embarrassing incident might have damaged his reputation except for two factors: the part of the battle he was supposed to march to join had ended, so he wasn't really needed; and, because of

2142-540: The bottom two floors contain a Tiffany & Co. store, while the upper floors contain offices. Cathay Pacific maintains its North America regional headquarters on the third floor of the Tiffany Building, The Cathay Pacific North America headquarters moved from Greater Los Angeles and opened in the Tiffany Building in 2005. The only hotel located on Union Square is the Westin St. Francis hotel which

2205-549: The central shopping, hotel, and theater district surrounding the plaza for several blocks. The area got its name because it was once used for Thomas Starr King rallies and support for the Union Army during the American Civil War , earning its designation as a California Historical Landmark . This one-block plaza and surrounding area was historically home to one of the largest collections of department stores, upscale boutiques, gift shops, art galleries, and beauty salons in

2268-632: The closure. Video game company Nintendo announced that it will open its second US retail store in Union Square in 2025. Two cable car lines (Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason) serve Union Square on Powell Street. In addition, Union Square is served by many trolleybus and bus lines and the F Market heritage streetcar. The Muni Metro and BART subway systems both serve the area at nearby Powell Street Station on Market Street . In 2012, Muni began building an extension of its Muni Metro system to connect Union Square and Chinatown with Caltrain and other neighborhoods in San Francisco. After several delays,

2331-561: The dedication of a 97 ft (30 m) tall monument to Admiral George Dewey 's victory at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish–American War . It also commemorates U.S. President William McKinley , who had been recently assassinated. Executed by Robert Aitken, the statue at the top of the monument, "Victory," was modeled after a voluptuous Danish-American stenographer and artist's model, Alma de Bretteville , who eventually married one of San Francisco's richest citizens. Another significant change happened between 1939 and 1941 when

2394-445: The existing Kansas militia, organized a new state militia, and relied heavily on federal troops to help keep order. On October 17, he started a twenty-day tour of the territory and spoke to groups everywhere he stopped to gain their opinions. Despite his efforts to be a neutral peacemaker, Geary and the proslavery legislature clashed. Geary stopped a large force of Missouri border ruffians who were heading to Lawrence to once again burn

2457-525: The extension, known as the Central Subway , opened in January 2023; a new station serving Union Square named Union Square/Market Street station now serves the square directly, which itself is linked to Powell Street station via an underground walkway. John Geary John White Geary (December 30, 1819 – February 8, 1873) was an American lawyer, politician, Freemason , and

2520-594: The field at Gettysburg, Geary Street in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania (where Geary owned a home), Geary Street in Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania, and Geary Hall, an undergraduate dorm building in East Halls at Pennsylvania State University . There is a monument to Geary in the town center of Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania . Geary, Kansas (in Doniphan County ) was also named in his honor, but

2583-527: The first half of 2024 compared with the same period in 2023" and also showed a decline of almost 6% compared with the same period in 2022. However, it was later pointed out that Placer.ai was drawing its data only from U.S. domestic cell phone users and was not capturing foot traffic of international cell phone users (i.e., international tourists). MRI Software data based on analysis of closed-circuit television feeds showed "a massive increase" in foot traffic from 2022 to 2024 around Union Square, implying that

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2646-425: The following afternoon. The story received both national and international news coverage. Locals were unfazed by the news, with one of them explaining to a reporter: "It happens all the time". On October 18, 2024, over 2,000 unionized employees at four San Francisco luxury hotels—including three near Union Square—went on strike for better wages and benefits. On October 30, 2024, dozens of strikers sat down in

2709-607: The former of whom also designed the Palace of the Legion of Honor . The hotel opened on February 1, 1915, to serve crowds attending the Panama–Pacific International Exposition . Advertised as the first hotel in San Francisco to be fire and earthquake proof, with its 1924 addition of 3 floors, it became the largest hotel in the state. The hotel's Art Deco Redwood Room bar was added in 1933, paneled with wood from

2772-491: The general body thereby be caused to suffer." Armed with two guns, Geary left the territory during the night on March 21 and returned to Washington, D.C. Afterward, he spoke at many public meetings about the dangers in Kansas. Although he did not bring peace to the territory, Geary's administration did leave the territory more peaceful than it had been before his arrival. Geary returned to his Pennsylvania farm and remarried. At

2835-466: The hotel became simply Clift . Schrager bought the hotel outright in 1999, for $ 80 million. Soon after, he oversaw a $ 50 million complete renovation, which involved the restoration of the Redwood Room, and the gutting and redesign of much of the rest of the hotel, by designer Philippe Starck . The hotel reopened on August 3, 2001. Starck's lobby featured his furniture collection, including chairs from Ray and Charles Eames , furniture by Salvador Dalí , and

2898-406: The late 1970s and through the 1980s and 1990s as homeless people began to camp in the plaza. San Francisco's rowdy New Year's parties used to happen yearly at the plaza, often followed by some sort of civil disruption and rioting happening afterward. In early 1998, city planners began plans to renovate the plaza to create more paved surfaces for easier maintenance, with outdoor cafes and more levels to

2961-501: The middle of Powell Street around 5 p.m. and were arrested. This was the latest in a series of hotel strikes in Union Square in the 21st century, following earlier strikes in 2005, 2010, and 2018. At the center of Union Square stands the Dewey Monument , an 85-foot (26 m) column on which stands a 9-foot (2.7 m) statue of Nike, the ancient Greek Goddess of Victory . The monument is dedicated to Admiral George Dewey ,

3024-433: The planned closure of Macy's Union Square merely highlighted how Union Square had gradually "ceased to be an essential part of the city’s daily life". In response to the news, Avison Young reported that if the closure occurs as planned, Union Square's vacancy rate would jump from 22% to 34.5%. To the east of Union Square, a cluster of "ultra-luxe international boutiques" around Grant Street had stayed afloat by catering to

3087-491: The plaza itself but the general shopping, dining, and theater districts within the surrounding blocks. The Geary and Curran theaters one block west on Geary anchor the " theater district " and border the Tenderloin . Union Square is also home to San Francisco's TIX Bay Area , a half-priced ticket booth, and Ticketmaster outlet. Run by Theatre Bay Area , tickets for most of San Francisco's performing arts can be purchased at

3150-425: The regiment heroically at Chapultepec , and was wounded five times in the process. Geary was an excellent target for enemy fire: a huge man for that era, he stood six feet six inches tall, 260 pounds (118 kg) and solidly built. Altogether, he was wounded at least ten times in his military career. Geary's exploits at Belén Gate earned him the rank of colonel and he returned home a war hero. Moving west, Geary

3213-552: The square can be seen from surrounding high places such as the Sir Francis Drake Hotel , Macy's top floor, and the Grand Hyatt hotel. The Union Square Business Improvement District was founded in 1999 and focused primarily on cleaning and safety issues. The BID also deals with marketing, advocacy, streetscapes, and capital improvement programs. The Union Square BID has been criticized by some as acting in

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3276-403: The start of the Civil War, Geary raised the 147th and 28th Pennsylvania Infantry regiments and became colonel of the latter. Commanding the district of the upper Potomac River , he was wounded and captured near Leesburg, Virginia , on March 8, 1862, but was immediately exchanged and returned to duty. On April 25, 1862, he was promoted to Brigadier General, U.S. Volunteers and the command of

3339-464: The suffering caused by the direful passions of war." Geary County, Kansas , was renamed in honor of John W. Geary in 1889 (previously named Davis County for Jefferson Davis , it was renamed at the insistence of its citizens; in 1893, the county electorate rejected an attempt to restore the Davis County name), as is Geary Boulevard in San Francisco, a major artery in that city, Geary Avenue on

3402-481: The surrounding area include Chanel , Prada , Burberry , Salvatore Ferragamo , Shapur Mozaffarian, Goyard , Dior and Cartier . Gap Inc. , which is headquartered less than a mile away on the Embarcadero , used to operate multiple flagship and full-line stores for The Gap , Banana Republic , and Old Navy in and around Union Square. However, all those stores closed in the early 2020s, and eventually, only

3465-421: The territorial capital at Lecompton the following day, becoming the youngest territorial governor of Kansas. He believed that his previous administrative experience in government would help bring peace to the territory, but he was unable to stop the violence. He told his first audience, "I desire to know no party, no section, no North, no South, no East, no West; nothing but Kansas and my country." Geary disbanded

3528-453: The territory, Geary stated that he had not sought the office and "[that it] was by no means desirable." He added, "most of the troubles which lately agitated the territory, were occasioned by men who had no especial interest in its welfare... The great body of the actual citizens are conservative, law-abiding and peace-loving men, disposed rather to make sacrifices for conciliation and consequent peace, than to insist for their entire rights should

3591-467: The time of the 1856 presidential election, however, he had completely reversed his position and had become intimate friends with Charles Robinson and Samuel Pomeroy . Additionally, he totally distrusted the proslavery forces and in letters to President Pierce, he blamed them for the deprivations in the territory. Geary even went so far as to reject his candidacy from the Democratic party of Kansas for

3654-512: The town. Additionally, he vetoed a bill which would provide for an election of delegates to the Lecompton constitutional convention. This bill would have bypassed any referendum on a constitution before being submitted to the U.S. Congress for ratification. The legislature, however, overrode the veto. Geary also angered Free-staters when he turned away $ 20,000 from the Vermont legislature that

3717-498: The underground garage. Finally in late 2000, the park was partially closed to renovate the park and the parking garage. On July 25, 2002, the park reopened and a ceremony was held with then Mayor Willie Brown . In 2004 Unwire Now, a company founded by entrepreneur Jaz Banga, launched a free Wi-Fi network in Union Square which was championed by Mayor Gavin Newsom . Union Square hosts many public concerts and events. Public views of

3780-428: Was appointed postmaster of San Francisco by President James K. Polk on January 22, 1849, and on January 8 1850, he was elected the city's alcalde , before California became a state, and then the first mayor of the city. Aged thirty at the time of his appointment, he holds the record as the youngest mayor in San Francisco history. As alcalde, he served as the city's judge in addition to the city's mayor. In 1849, he

3843-461: Was governor of Pennsylvania, the Lodge sent him a resolution of thanks. He answered by claiming it was the principles and tenets of Freemasonry that helped Reconstruction to be as successful as it finally turned out to be. In this reply, he said: "... I feel again justified in referring to our beloved institution, by saying that to Freemasonry the people of the country are indebted for many mitigations of

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3906-407: Was intended to help the suffering from the harsh winter of 1856–57. Geary wrote in his response, "[there is] doubtless some suffering ... consequent upon the past disturbances and the present extremely cold weather; but probably no more than exists in other territories or in either of the states of the Union." Initially, Geary solidly abhorred the proposals he received from Kansas abolitionists . By

3969-644: Was nominated for Governor and Senator , but did not win either office. Geary returned to Pennsylvania in 1852 because of his wife's failing health. After her death, President Franklin Pierce wanted to appoint him governor of the Utah Territory , but Geary declined. Geary accepted Pierce's appointment as governor of the Kansas Territory on July 31, 1856. Proslavery forces opposed Geary, favoring instead either acting governor Daniel Woodson or Surveyor General John Calhoun (an Illinois politician). Geary spent

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