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Nestled in the heart of San Francisco’s iconic waterfront district, the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero boasts one of the city’s most awe-inspiring architectural gems—the stunning 17-story atrium. Designed by renowned architect John Portman, this soaring interior was once the world’s largest hotel atrium when it opened in 1973, setting the stage for Portman’s revolutionary concept of communal hotel spaces. The vast, light-filled atrium welcomes guests with its open design, featuring exposed glass elevators, futuristic lighting, and sweeping walkways that guide your eyes upward to the dramatic skylights. The atrium’s symmetrical lines and angular design create an almost sci-fi ambiance, perfect for fans of modern architecture. This cutting-edge design has also made the Hyatt Regency a favorite filming location, most notably featured in the 1977 thriller High Anxiety by Mel Brooks.
The atrium seamlessly blends with the waterfront energy outside, just steps from the Ferry Building, offering unbeatable views of the San Francisco Bay and the Bay Bridge. Its proximity to the Embarcadero makes it ideal for both business and leisure travelers seeking luxury with a touch of history. In addition to its architectural flair, the hotel offers high-end amenities like a 24-hour fitness center, fine dining, and spacious, modern rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, all encapsulating the spirit of San Francisco’s vibrant waterfront district.
The Hyatt Regency San Francisco’s Embarcadero Atrium is a true architectural marvel, a space where cutting-edge design and the spirit of the 1970s meld seamlessly. Designed by renowned architect John Portman, this atrium boasts the title of the world’s largest when it first opened in 1973. Stepping inside, visitors are greeted by a towering, light-filled space that rises 17 stories, giving an unparalleled sense of scale and grandeur. The cascading floors and geometric lines draw the eye upwards, with glass elevators whisking guests to their rooms in full view of the vast atrium, adding to the dynamic experience.
What makes the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero Atrium so unique is its daring use of concrete and glass, typical of Portman’s Brutalist-meets-futuristic style. The openness of the space gives it a modern, futuristic feel, yet it still remains welcoming thanks to its thoughtful design. You’ll find lush greenery and water features that soften the industrial elements, offering a serene oasis within bustling downtown San Francisco.
Strategically located along the Embarcadero waterfront, this hotel’s central atrium has hosted numerous high-profile events, even appearing in blockbuster films like High Anxiety and The Towering Inferno. It’s also perfectly situated for visitors wanting easy access to iconic San Francisco landmarks, from the Ferry Building just across the street to the nearby Financial District and North Beach.
Stay at the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero and experience a legendary piece of San Francisco's architectural history firsthand, while enjoying all the luxury and convenience of a world-class hotel.
Nestled in the heart of San Francisco’s iconic waterfront district, the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero boasts one of the city’s most awe-inspiring architectural gems—the stunning 17-story atrium. Designed by renowned architect John Portman, this soaring interior was once the world’s largest hotel atrium when it opened in 1973, setting the stage for Portman’s revolutionary concept of communal hotel spaces. The vast, light-filled atrium welcomes guests with its open design, featuring exposed glass elevators, futuristic lighting, and sweeping walkways that guide your eyes upward to the dramatic skylights. The atrium’s symmetrical lines and angular design create an almost sci-fi ambiance, perfect for fans of modern architecture. This cutting-edge design has also made the Hyatt Regency a favorite filming location, most notably featured in the 1977 thriller High Anxiety by Mel Brooks.
The atrium seamlessly blends with the waterfront energy outside, just steps from the Ferry Building, offering unbeatable views of the San Francisco Bay and the Bay Bridge. Its proximity to the Embarcadero makes it ideal for both business and leisure travelers seeking luxury with a touch of history. In addition to its architectural flair, the hotel offers high-end amenities like a 24-hour fitness center, fine dining, and spacious, modern rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, all encapsulating the spirit of San Francisco’s vibrant waterfront district.
Nestled in the heart of San Francisco’s iconic waterfront district, the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero boasts one of the city’s most awe-inspiring architectural gems—the stunning 17-story atrium. Designed by renowned architect John Portman, this soaring interior was once the world’s largest hotel atrium when it opened in 1973, setting the stage for Portman’s revolutionary concept of communal hotel spaces. The vast, light-filled atrium welcomes guests with its open design, featuring exposed glass elevators, futuristic lighting, and sweeping walkways that guide your eyes upward to the dramatic skylights. The atrium’s symmetrical lines and angular design create an almost sci-fi ambiance, perfect for fans of modern architecture. This cutting-edge design has also made the Hyatt Regency a favorite filming location, most notably featured in the 1977 thriller High Anxiety by Mel Brooks.
The atrium seamlessly blends with the waterfront energy outside, just steps from the Ferry Building, offering unbeatable views of the San Francisco Bay and the Bay Bridge. Its proximity to the Embarcadero makes it ideal for both business and leisure travelers seeking luxury with a touch of history. In addition to its architectural flair, the hotel offers high-end amenities like a 24-hour fitness center, fine dining, and spacious, modern rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, all encapsulating the spirit of San Francisco’s vibrant waterfront district.
The Hyatt Regency San Francisco’s Embarcadero Atrium is a true architectural marvel, a space where cutting-edge design and the spirit of the 1970s meld seamlessly. Designed by renowned architect John Portman, this atrium boasts the title of the world’s largest when it first opened in 1973. Stepping inside, visitors are greeted by a towering, light-filled space that rises 17 stories, giving an unparalleled sense of scale and grandeur. The cascading floors and geometric lines draw the eye upwards, with glass elevators whisking guests to their rooms in full view of the vast atrium, adding to the dynamic experience.
What makes the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero Atrium so unique is its daring use of concrete and glass, typical of Portman’s Brutalist-meets-futuristic style. The openness of the space gives it a modern, futuristic feel, yet it still remains welcoming thanks to its thoughtful design. You’ll find lush greenery and water features that soften the industrial elements, offering a serene oasis within bustling downtown San Francisco.
Strategically located along the Embarcadero waterfront, this hotel’s central atrium has hosted numerous high-profile events, even appearing in blockbuster films like High Anxiety and The Towering Inferno. It’s also perfectly situated for visitors wanting easy access to iconic San Francisco landmarks, from the Ferry Building just across the street to the nearby Financial District and North Beach.
Stay at the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero and experience a legendary piece of San Francisco's architectural history firsthand, while enjoying all the luxury and convenience of a world-class hotel.
Looking skyward inside the Waldorf Astoria Washington D.C. reveals the architectural heart of the former Old Post Office Pavilion: a vast atrium capped by a steel-and-glass skylight. Spanning multiple stories, this breathtaking space blends industrial innovation with Romanesque design elements—characterized by rounded arches, iron ornamentation, and layered stone and plaster detailing.
Originally completed in 1899, the Old Post Office was designed by Supervising Architect Willoughby J. Edbrooke and featured cutting-edge construction for its time, including a steel internal skeleton that allowed for the open vertical space seen here. The atrium once served a practical purpose—allowing natural light into the mail sorting floors—and has since been preserved as a centerpiece of the building’s adaptive reuse as a luxury hotel.
The photo captures the latticework of the skylight, intersected by iron beams and flanked by repeating columned arcades on all sides. Suspended acoustic panels float below the glass ceiling, subtly modern additions to a historic structure. Decorative ironwork and ornamental capitals around the perimeter reflect the building's 19th-century grandeur.
Today, the atrium functions as a public and private gathering space—dramatic yet peaceful, airy yet grounded in stone and steel. This is one of Washington D.C.'s few remaining Romanesque Revival interiors on such a monumental scale.
HABS Architectural Survey Standard:
Documented according to standards of the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS):
Structure Name: Old Post Office
Location: 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.
Style: Richardsonian Romanesque
Date of Construction: 1892–1899
Architect: Willoughby J. Edbrooke
HABS Reference Number: DC-275
The Hyatt Regency San Francisco’s Embarcadero Atrium is a true architectural marvel, a space where cutting-edge design and the spirit of the 1970s meld seamlessly. Designed by renowned architect John Portman, this atrium boasts the title of the world’s largest when it first opened in 1973. Stepping inside, visitors are greeted by a towering, light-filled space that rises 17 stories, giving an unparalleled sense of scale and grandeur. The cascading floors and geometric lines draw the eye upwards, with glass elevators whisking guests to their rooms in full view of the vast atrium, adding to the dynamic experience.
What makes the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero Atrium so unique is its daring use of concrete and glass, typical of Portman’s Brutalist-meets-futuristic style. The openness of the space gives it a modern, futuristic feel, yet it still remains welcoming thanks to its thoughtful design. You’ll find lush greenery and water features that soften the industrial elements, offering a serene oasis within bustling downtown San Francisco.
Strategically located along the Embarcadero waterfront, this hotel’s central atrium has hosted numerous high-profile events, even appearing in blockbuster films like High Anxiety and The Towering Inferno. It’s also perfectly situated for visitors wanting easy access to iconic San Francisco landmarks, from the Ferry Building just across the street to the nearby Financial District and North Beach.
Stay at the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero and experience a legendary piece of San Francisco's architectural history firsthand, while enjoying all the luxury and convenience of a world-class hotel.