Press Releases - 2003
Joie de Vivre Hospitality Announces Million Dollar Renovation and Restaurant Addition to Literary-Styled Hotel Rex
San Francisco, CA (April 5, 2003) - HOTEL REX (www.jdvhospitality.com), a 94-room boutique hotel in the heart of San Francisco's Union Square, will soon complete a spectacular million dollar plus renovation and restaurant addition project. The property is slated to fully re-open in late April, 2003. Local designers Candra Scott, the original designer of the Hotel Rex, and Richard Anderson are overseeing this latest renovation. The Hotel Rex is operated by Joie de Vivre Hospitality.
The renovation includes the addition of a business center, boardroom and a 24-seat bistro-style restaurant in the space formerly occupied by The Bookstall.
The business center, known as The Study, features two hi-tech computer work stations and T-1 Internet access. A collection of vintage typewriters and photographs capturing the faces associated with San Francisco's rich 20th Century literary history encase this modern business center in the comfortable guise of a period–styled study—creating a work environment consistent with hotel's 1920s-40s salon style.
The Rexroth Room, a twelve-seat boardroom, is dedicated to the hotel's namesake–Kenneth Rexroth. It is decorated with vintage portraits, period lighting, a Deco table & banquette, and antique courtroom chairs. Nestled in this rich environment are 21st century amenities such as high-speed Internet ports and an LCD projector.
Finally, Café Andrée, named for Andrée Dutcher, wife of Kenneth Rexroth will feature a cozy setting and the quintessentially Northern California cuisine of Executive Chef, Jim Jardine. Café Andrée will showcase local live jazz and a provocative period design.
Originally inspired by San Francisco’s art and literary salons of the 1920-40's, the Hotel Rex was conceived as the private residence of a fictional character inspired by San Francisco's Kenneth Rexroth (www.bopsecrets.org/PS/rexroth1.htm). A literary gadfly and counterculture figure, Rexroth is often referred to as one of the godfathers of the San Francisco Beat Movement. The hotel's lobby serves as a salon-like living room accentuated by unusual furnishings, intriguing objects, local art and personal books. This rich and artistic environment has given the Rex a national reputation as a hotel for lovers of books and the arts.
The renovation further extends this literary identity.While the beat-era of the 1950-60's may be long gone, the vibrant spirit is still very much alive in San Francisco's current literary scene. A group of emerging and established writers, like JT Leroy, Dave Eggers, Po Bronson, Terry McMillan and Michael Chabon, continue to make their home in the Bay Area. The Hotel Rex has avidly supported the San Francisco art and literary community since its opening in 1996 by participating in and hosting events such as First Thursday Art Openings, San Francisco Performances, and The Thought Magazine Writers Series. The newly renovated Hotel Rex has been redesigned to celebrate the melding of San Francisco's rich literary tradition with that of its promising literary future.
About Joie de Vivre Hospitality
Based in San Francisco, Joie de Vivre Hospitality (www.jdvhospitality.com) is a creative collection of lifestyle businesses. As the Bay Area's fastest growing independent hospitality company, the Joie de Vivre portfolio features 20 boutique hotels and one day spa. These properties represent a total of 1713 rooms and include five distinctive restaurants and bars. Each property has been carefully designed to celebrate the San Francisco Bay Area through its unique visual style, high design principals, one-of-a-kind amenities and personalized service. Chip Conley, founder and CEO of Joie de Vivre Hospitality, says it best, "Our goal is to create landmark destinations full of soul and personality!"
