Hilton Opens First Modular Hotel in San Francisco
Located near the San Francisco airport, the Home2 Suites by Hilton—part of the hotel chain's all-suites portfolio—is the first hotel built using modular construction in Bay Area history.
Modular construction is a process in which the modules are built off-site, and then assembled on location. This building technique cuts construction time and enables fast delivery to market compared with conventional construction.
Local firm Arris Studio Architects handled design of the new Home2 Suites. The firm's portfolio ranges from the renovation of the century-old landmark Shattuck Hotel in Berkeley, Calif., to modern mixed-use, urban in-fill projects.
"The decision to move forward with modular construction was made early in the process," said Arris Studio partner Thom Jess, who emphasizes that modular construction allowed them to significantly expedite the project's timeline. "While the site work and podium were being built onsite, the modular guest rooms were being built in the factory. Seeing the building go from a bare concrete podium to a six-story hotel in a couple of weeks was incredible."
Not only is the property the first modular hotel in the Bay Area, it is also the first for the Home2 Suites by Hilton portfolio.
“Thanks to its high demand but equally high barriers to entry, San Francisco is an ideal market to introduce our cutting-edge modular build concept," said Adrian Kurre, global head of Home2 Suites by Hilton. "Staying at the forefront of building trends has translated to faster construction and ramp-up times, making Home2 Suites one of Hilton's fastest-growing brands."
The Home2 Suites by Hilton San Francisco Airport North also incorporates a wide range of eco-conscious features, such as solar power, a bio-retention pond that filters water run-off to reduce the property's overall carbon footprint, and an on-site trash compactor. The property's solar array is projected to meet about about 50% of the hotel's energy needs.
Other Hilton modular projects under construction include the Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton San Jose Airport in California, and the Hampton by Hilton Hamilton Park Racecourse and the Hilton Garden Inn Birmingham Airport, both in the United Kingdom.
Projects like the one in San Francisco are part of the company's goal to make Hilton's global portfolio of nearly 5,900 hotels more sustainable. The company says it hopes to cut its environmental footprint in half by 2030.
Your room is ready. The modules for the new Home2 Suites were built by Guerdon Modular Buildings in its Boise, Idaho facility. The San Francisco hotel project was completed in just 16 months, from groundbreaking to completion.
Modular building blocks. Guerdon's innovative modular technology combines on-site construction with precise, off-site factory assembly line production. Traditional building schedules are shortened substantially because modular units are constructed in Guerdon's plant, while site work and foundation construction are completed at the same time. For more insight into the process, watch this video of the new hotel's modules being lifted into place.
Centrally located. The new hotel is located at 550 Gateway Boulevard South, just off US-101. It offers guests convenient access to South San Francisco dining and shopping, downtown San Francisco, the Moscone Center, and nearby transportation options, including BART and Caltrain. Complimentary shuttle service to San Francisco International Airport is also available for guests.
Open for business. The six-story building, owned by India-based company Sri Krishna Enterprises Inc. and managed by Flowood, Miss.-based Southern Hospitality Services, features 155 guest rooms across 95,000 square feet.
Welcome home: Home2 Suites offers customizable guest room designs, complimentary breakfast, laundry and fitness areas, free WiFi, multiple outdoor spaces, 24-hour business centers, community spaces, and pet-friendly environments.
Room with a view. The hotel includes meeting space for small groups, including audio-visual services, catering, and free WiFi.
Meetings simplified. Conference spaces are designed so that different configurations can accommodate various types of meetings and presentations.
Business center. The Oasis is a community space that provides common areas for social gatherings, as well as communal and individual work and meetings.
The inspired table. Continental breakfast includes a wide variety of complimentary and customizable breakfast items served each morning, including a hot breakfast sandwich and coffee.
How suite it is. The media zone in each guest suite includes a full-size sleeper sofa, flat-screen HDTV, rolling ottoman, ambient and task lighting, alarm clock, and various pieces of furniture that can be moved around.
Room to work or relax: Suites provide separate living and bedroom areas, along with a kitchen and a flexible working and media space.
Self-contained. The fully accessorized kitchen includes a refrigerator, freezer, dishwasher, microwave oven and coffee maker.
