Ghirardelli Square

Ghirardelli Square, considered the first successful adaptive re-use project in the country, was originally a chocolate factory established by Domenico “Domingo” Ghirardelli. The chocolate manufacturing operation was sold and transferred to San Leandro in the 1960s. Unique shops and restaurants were created within the old factory combining the latest in retailing and fine cuisine with the flavor of old San Francisco. The restoration project officially opened on November 29, 1964.

Today, Ghirardelli Square delights visitors with its lively retail mix, while maintaining Ghirardelli’s tradition as a trendsetter for the rest of the world. It continues to serve as a model for restoration complexes throughout the country such as Faneuil Hall Marketplace in Boston and Baltimore’s Harborplace.