Ghirardelli Square sign gets a reboot

Landmark to be replaced, returned by autumn

Don’t worry too much if you notice the landmark Ghirardelli sign has vanished.

It will be back and brighter than ever, the owners of Ghirardelli Square say.

The tall sign that illuminates the former chocolate factory turned retail complex near Fisherman’s Wharf will be transported letter by letter to an offsite facility where it will be replicated, according to Jamestown, the real estate company that owns the space.

One of city’s most recognizable features, the Ghirardelli sign was completed in 1915, the year the city hosted the PanamaPacific International Exposition, and placed atop the chocolate factory. Originally doublesided, the sign was restored in 1964, with the cityfacing letters removed.

Despite numerous patch repairs over the past 100 years, the sign that sits on top of the Mustard and Cocoa buildings has endured significant damage. Many letters show corrosion, with missing glass bulbs and malfunctioning lights, and the steel truss frame is corroded and has lost paint.

“The Ghirardelli marquee is an iconic feature of the San Francisco skyline and an exhibit of the square’s rich history,” Jamestown President Michael Phillips said. “We are pleased to be able to preserve its significance to the square, the neighborhood, and the history of a beloved Californiaborn brand.”

In order to gain a “vintage sign” designation and

secure permits for the work, it took an arduous 21⁄2year process with the Historic Preservation Commission and the San Francisco Planning Department. The project was approved in January and scheduled to start in March, but it was further delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Workers will remove the 19foottall letters one at a time and transport them to a facility where laser scanners will obtain accurate measurements. The letters will then be reconstructed out of aluminum to match the existing size. Once replaced in the square, the complete 152foot width of the sign will be restored.

New LED lights will be installed, with bulb quantity and location that mirrors the existing sign. The letters will be painted with a highperformance coat that replicates the original color of the letters, and the existing steel frame will be retained and repaired.

The completion of the project and unveiling of the restored sign is estimated to take place in early September.

Paul Chinn / The Chronicle The Ghirardelli sign at Fisherman’s Wharf is removed a letter at a time; it’s expected to be back in September.

Liz Mangelsdorf / The Chronicle 2003 The onlyinSan Francisco sign above Ghirardelli Square is seen from the pier at Aquatic Park.

Paul Chinn / The Chronicle That’s R, for replacement: A letter from the famed Ghirardelli sign is lowered onto a flatbed truck.