 |
Tonga Room SF to be demolished? |
VampiressRN
Grand Member (3 years) 
Joined: Nov 23, 2006
Posts: 3266
From: Sin City Lincoln Hills (NorCal)
|  Posted: 2008-11-10 5:33 pm
Dang...I better get my bootay over there and check out the place soon. It looked like such a awesome wonderland in its day.
_________________
 "Oh waiter, another cocktail please!!!"
[ This Message was edited by: VampiressRN 2008-11-11 05:17 ]
|
suzanne
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 31, 2005
Posts: 610
From: A Jet to Paradise
| Posted: 2008-11-10 10:01 pm
Hanford, how serious is this? What can we do to prevent this from happening?
Suzanne
_________________
The Black Orchid Club... the Secret of the Orchid compels you!
|
GatorRob
Grand Member (4 years) 
Joined: Aug 20, 2004
Posts: 1497
From: FL
| Posted: 2008-12-02 4:09 pm
Quote:
|
On 2008-11-10 17:30, aquarj wrote:
GatorRob and LOLTiki and TikiGardener are correct. That swimming pool, the "Plunge" was an older use for the space occupied by the Tonga Room now. In fact, GatorRob's photo is a picture of a photo hanging on the hallway wall outside the Tonga Room.
|
|
Just for the record, aquarj is right. That's a pic I took of of the hallway display outside the Tonga Room. It's not the Sutro Baths.
|
nichols
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Jul 03, 2003
Posts: 38 | Posted: 2008-12-08 12:22 pm
If somebody here was willing to manage the project, I (and I'm sure Sven and others) would lend our expertise in crafting a landmark nomination. Either at the city or state level for the Tonga Room. This is a big deal.
|
bigbrotiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 25, 2002
Posts: 7057
From: Tiki Island, above the Silverlake
| Posted: 2008-12-08 1:03 pm
I'll gladly lend my expertise, but somebody has to be the form writer, and know in what form my expertise is needed, WHAT info is going to make a difference.
|
albino tiki
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Jun 24, 2008
Posts: 26
From: Chicago
| Posted: 2008-12-08 5:03 pm
My mom worked at the Fairmont Hotel in the mid-50s. As a result, every time we visited San Francisco when I was growing up, we would stay at the hotel and dine at the Tonga Room. I have a real soft spot for the Tonga Room.
I am completing an MS in Historic Preservation (actually I'm ABT (all but thesis) for a number of years now and may never complete that darn thing). I live in Chicago and I am not well-versed in California landmarks policies, however, I would be happy to help out in any way that I can. Generally, it is best to pursue landmark designation on the local level. The only laws which can forestall the demolition or alteration of historic properties by private owners are local (county, municipal) landmark laws. These are generally triggered by building permit review and adjudicated by a local landmarks commission. Generally, properties need to be listed prior to the application for a demolition or alteration permit.
The Fairmont Hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, however, the NRHP is merely an honorary designation and provides no protection against alteration and demolition. Even local landmarking typically protects only the facade of the building and not the interior so you would probably need to prepare a nomination form specifically for the interior of the Tonga Room. This could be a difficult argument to make since the TR was recently remodeled and much of the "historic fabric" of the room was lost or altered. You might begin by getting a copy of the National Register nomination form for the Fairmont to see what it covers and whether it describes any of the interiors.
I don't know whether San Francisco requires owner consent for landmark designation or not, but that would be something important to look into. Again, I must emphasize I have not dealt with landmarking in California, but I would assume that San Francisco would be a lot more preservation friendly than Chicago. Good luck and let me know if I can be of any assistance.
|
Chip and Andy
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 13, 2004
Posts: 1644
From: Corner table, Molokai Lounge, Mai-Kai.
| Posted: 2008-12-09 04:39 am
Quote:
|
On 2008-12-08 17:03, albino tiki wrote:
I don't know whether San Francisco requires owner consent for landmark designation or not, but that would be something important to look into. |
|
This is the most important thing to look into! The designation is very helpful in keeping things from being knocked down, but it also seriously limits what can be done in keeping something standing. It can actually make it harder for an owner to keep the place open.
The best way to keep anything from happening to the place is to keep the barstools full! You have to go to the Tonga Room often, make yourself known, become like Norm from Cheers so that everyone knows your name. And you have to tell everyone you know the same. The more asses in seats the less likely anything will get knocked down. If the place is making money as the Tonga Room the less likely it is to be remodeled into a Martini Bar or whatever the owners think is the newest hottest thing.
|
donhonyc
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jan 13, 2003
Posts: 1142
From: The Quiet EAST Village
| Posted: 2008-12-09 09:22 am
Quote:
|
The best way to keep anything from happening to the place is to keep the barstools full! You have to go to the Tonga Room often, make yourself known, become like Norm from Cheers so that everyone knows your name. And you have to tell everyone you know the same. The more asses in seats the less likely anything will get knocked down. If the place is making money as the Tonga Room the less likely it is to be remodeled into a Martini Bar or whatever the owners think is the newest hottest thing.
|
|
I went to the Tonga twice over a four day period this past August and both nights the place was pretty hoppin'. Even more so on the second night I was there which was a Friday during happy hour. The bar area was packed, customers were at the restaurant tables, the band was playing on the floating band stand, and the dance floor was pretty occupied with both young and old. In short this place was not deserted by any means and looked like it was doing some damn good business for a 70 year old spot. The bottom line is that those in power, these corporate A-holes with the money, don't know what's good for popular culture. They think they do, but the absolutely don't. They may look at one example of success that worked ie. a really 'trendy and hip' martini bar, or what have you and think it's going to work for them. Their other problem is ego and power. These people love to demolish things just for the purpose of demolishing them. In posts like this I keep pointing out the example of what's happening in New York. Character is being substituted for hollow symbols of wealth and cultural genericization. Now that the economy is tanking the white washing of Manhattan is slowly grinding down. There are already reports of condo structures being abandoned due to financial snags. If there is any silver lining in this economy it may be that alot of places like the Tonga have a chance at being saved because right now is the absolute WRONG time to be making financial decisions. In other words 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'.
|
bigtikidude
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 10, 2004
Posts: 4480
From: Anaheim,Ca.
| Posted: 2008-12-09 11:03 am
I think the one reason many Bay area TC members don't go there more Often is the drinks are not on Par with Trader Vics or Forbidden Island.
Who wants to pay 10 to 15 bucks for a drink that taste bad or no booze in it.
Even if Decor is not perfect, if the drinks are great,TC people will flock to the place.
Jeff(bigtikidude)
|
Tipsy McStagger
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 21, 2004
Posts: 2861
From: HELL
| Posted: 2008-12-09 11:17 am
Quote:
|
Even if Decor is not perfect, if the drinks are great,TC people will flock to the place.
Jeff(bigtikidude)
|
|
... i don't buy it....if this were true, there would be droves of tiki folk flocking to the chef shangri-la...as it is we practically have to beg folks to come out to support them and their drinks are ten times better and more potent than hala kahiki and most if not all tiki establishments left in the area....and their decor is classic witco/70's era tiki...so where the hell is everyone??
..i do want to add that a certain small percentage of t.c.er's and f.o.m. actually do come out and support the chef and the events hosted by bamboolodge and this is not directed at them.....but it's always the same folk showing up. There are still a few members whose loyalty to anything tiki other than how they can benefit from it i still question, due to the fact they never make an appearance to support the very places they are gonna cry about when they evetually close their doors due to lack of support....
|
bigtikidude
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 10, 2004
Posts: 4480
From: Anaheim,Ca.
| Posted: 2008-12-09 11:31 am
well I was referring to California TC members.
Not Mid west TC members.
Though I hear ya.
there are many TC members out here that I have never seen/met.
or maybe see once a year.
they must have amazing tiki bars at home, and never want to leave them.
Jeff(bigtikidude)
|
Tipsy McStagger
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 21, 2004
Posts: 2861
From: HELL
| Posted: 2008-12-09 12:13 pm
now i hear you too!! seems to be so many tiki folk in our respective corners of the world and yet so many that never seem to get out...practically ever!!....except maybe once in awhile at events like exotica.....
home bars are great and we spend time at each other's places though not so much like we did back in the late 90's, but we also like to get out often as we can....there aren't many events or get togethers here in the midwest so it suprises me that we don't see more folk coming out to support them...
at least i can understand the west coast in that they have something cool going on just about everyweekend!!...plus such close proximity to tiki places and businesses that we just don't have here....basically the west has more of everything when it comes to things tiki and things related to tiki....
and i hate you all for it!!! LOL
_________________
" In a perfect world...Elvis would still be alive ....and all the elvis impersonators would be dead!!"
|
leleliz
Grand Member (first year) 
Joined: Sep 02, 2008
Posts: 1201
From: NorCal
| Posted: 2008-12-09 1:12 pm
Although I have only lived in the bay area for a few years the reason I could see why business may not be booming is because SF has such an influx of places to dine and drink. I don't think that has to do so much with the lack of support from TCers--more with how many options people have as to where to spend their dollars. I am not sure what sort of marketing the Fairmont has done to remind the public that they still have such a great place in their hotel , but it might be a good thing to overhaul to bring in the crowds.
I meet people all the time who have lived in this area years longer than I have and it amazes me that they have no idea that The Tonga Room , and even Forbidden Island for that matter, exist.
On one hand its great to keep these gems low key to avoid huge crowds of people, but on the other hand sometimes you have to market to the masses to bring in the dollars. For a venue like Forbidden Island the fact that its tucked away and always busy (at least when I drink there) is a good indication that they have a great following and word of mouth to fill their bar.
For the Tonga Room they seem to not be so lucky. Maybe after its saved (and it will be I hope!) their marketing strategy needs to be revamped.
Just an outsiders thought 
|
Bohemiann
Grand Member (4 years)
Joined: Apr 29, 2004
Posts: 409
From: Sarasota, Fla.
| Posted: 2008-12-09 2:06 pm
It will be a great loss if it goes.
I keep hearing peeps bring up the "Historical Designation" thing and after sitting through years of broadcasting local government rezone petitions and hearing "Ad Nauseum" testimonies and opinions on the subject, I have to say, It's usually a VERY bad idea for the owner and would not add but inhibit value. I would NEVER do it if I was faced with the option.
_________________
|
Thortiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 29, 2006
Posts: 134
From: Maryland (Land of Pleasant Tiki Living)
| Posted: 2008-12-09 2:19 pm
Tonga Room Hmmmmmm!!!!
Me & the Wahine visted the Tonga Room
for the first time last month. IMO it
was just OK. It was happy hour the place
had a deadsville feel to it, the staff
was really pushing drinks. Decor/vibe
over rated. Like those 40's pics when the
bar was almost up to the pool!
Several days prior went to Forbidden Island.
TERRIFIC. Superior drinks, vibe, atmosphere
to anything @ Tonga Room. HIGHLY recommended!!!!
|
