International Hotel & St. Mary's Catholic Center
cultural & community
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Community involvement was a vital part of the design process. In the 60s and 70s during the peak of controversy, community groups supported the I-Hotel through protests, planning meetings, and on-site workdays for building maintenance and the introduction of art murals. In continuing with the tradition of care and attention to the project, community groups again have gathered in a series of design charettes, reviews, and meetings. Groups include the Jackson Square Merchants Association, Kearny Street Housing, the Filipino Community, and the Chinatown Chinese Community.
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The height of the housing tower portion of the project along Jackson Street brought much concern from surrounding businesses, especially at adjacent Jackson Square, due to overcast shadows and the Telegraph Hill Dwellers due to obstructing views, among others. As community resistance prevailed, a desirable and innovative alternate scheme was presented in 1994 by William Stout. Stout's scheme lowered heights and density, but was infeasible due to timing and value of the site. |
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| The present design attempts to reconcile the past. Tino’s Barber Shop, the old gathering center for the seniors, has been renewed in the form of a community meeting room called the “Heritage Cultural Center” at the street level of the housing tower. On the façade of the building, a large art mural commemorates the rich history and gives tribute to the evicted tenants. Surviving seniors of the old I-Hotel will have first priority in occupying the new tower. |  |
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