In 1893, Domingo Ghirardelli’s sons purchased a block of property on the San Francisco waterfront to house their growing chocolate business.  To complement the existing Woolen Mill, Apartment Building, and other buildings on the property, the Ghirardelli sons built the Chocolate Building, Cocoa Building, Power House, and Clock Tower.  Ghirardelli Square was born and has been a San Francisco landmark ever since.

In the 1960s, the Ghirardelli Chocolate factory moved, and the prominent San Francisco Roth family purchased Ghirardelli Square.  In the decades since, the Square has evolved into a courtyard of shops and fine restaurants. 

The Fairmont Heritage Place, Ghirardelli Square is the newest addition to this iconic attraction, offering guests the opportunity to experience the history of San Francisco, the beauty of the waterfront, and the luxury of Fairmont in a landmark setting.