Vol. 48

Vol. 48

  • Austin Klar
  • 07/2/25

💎San Francisco’s Sweetest Landmark Just Got a Major Makeover

Driving the news: After a year wrapped in scaffolding, the iconic Ghirardelli Square clock tower has re-emerged, fully restored and gleaming above San Francisco’s North Point and Larkin streets.

 

Details: Built in 1916, the clock tower hadn’t seen a roof replacement in over 100 years. Restoration crews used 2,080 slate tiles (about 6 tons), sourced from the original Slate Valley quarries in Vermont and New York.

 

Decorative dormers and the towers crow’s nest were rebuilt in exacting detail, requiring 4,850 hours. The tower now features LED bulbs along its peaks and newly mixed “Ghirardelli Gray” paint around its windows.

 

Why it matters: This project breathes new life into a beloved landmark that’s part of San Francisco’s cultural identity. For locals and tourists alike, the glowing clock tower acts as a beacon, and its return just in time for summer promises to boost foot traffic and energy in the area.

 

The big picture: Ghirardelli Square is one of the city’s most cherished historic sites. With its listing on the National Register of Historic Places and views stretching to Pacific Heights and Aquatic Park, restoring the tower was both a technical feat and a cultural investment.

 

Between the lines: Though the clock still ticks off-time, residents don’t seem to mind. One longtime neighbor called it “cleaner and authentic,” while another stopped mid-walk to admire it with her greyhounds.

 

What’s next: The clock's specialist is scheduled to reset all four faces, hopefully getting things ticking on time. Jamestown, the company behind the restoration, says this sets the tower up for another century.

⭐️2025 Michelin Guide Honors Bay Area’s Boldest Kitchens

Driving the news: The 2025 Michelin Guide: California ceremony lit up Sacramento this week, bringing home new stars, sustainability honors, and special awards to the Bay Area’s culinary elite.

Why it matters: San Francisco’s restaurant scene continues to stand tall, mixing heritage and innovation. The Michelin stars drive prestige, tourism, and a strong local economy, helping restaurants rebound and thrive.

🎥Why Everyone in San Francisco Loves This #1 Neighborhood (West Portal)

The Hidden SF Neighborhood That's Actually MORE Convenient Than Noe Valley!

 

While everyone's fighting over Noe Valley's $3.5M+ homes, savvy buyers are discovering West Portal, where you get the same single-family charm, incredible parks, and family-friendly vibe for THE SAME price as average SF homes!

 

Ready to discover why smart buyers are choosing this transit-connected gem before the food scene and Stonestown redevelopment send prices soaring?

🏠San Francisco Real Estate Is Back — And Investors Are Racing In

Driving the news: After years of stalled rents and half-empty buildings, San Francisco’s apartment market is heating up, and national investors are taking notice.

 

Details:

  • Rents are rebounding: Now averaging $3,200/month, they’ve jumped 6.4% year-over-year and are approaching pre-pandemic highs.

  • Big firms are moving in: GTIS is bidding on nearly $100M in apartment assets; Fortress has already snapped up 13 rental buildings and is aiming to double its portfolio.

  • A luxury Presidio building just fetched over $100M, and Brookfield’s 75-property portfolio now boasts a 95% occupancy rate.

  • Office attendance is recovering too, now at 43% of pre-pandemic levels — a major shift from the 2020 low of just 8%.

 

Why it matters: For San Francisco, this isn’t just a rent rebound. It signals renewed faith in the city’s economic stability, good news for neighborhoods, small businesses, and anyone hoping the city would bounce back stronger.

 

The big picture: Scarcity is fueling the market. With new housing starts far below average (just 1,597 units added in 2024) rising demand and limited supply are giving landlords new pricing power and luring outside capital.

 

Between the lines: Investors see past the headlines. Fortress’s Eli Edwards said fears about crime and homelessness were overstated and concentrated in small pockets. For him, SF’s housing outlook was always about the long game.

 

What’s next: With inventory tight and office life stabilizing, expect more competition for apartment buildings and continued upward pressure on rents, especially as tech returns to in-person work.

🗞️ In Other News…

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