Coit Memorial Tower

Governor’s Historic Preservation Award

The Coit Memorial Tower rehabilitation project was significant for its successful collaboration between two City of San Francisco agencies: the Recreation and Parks Department which maintains and operates Coit Tower, and the Arts Commission, which cares for the tower’s murals, painted in the 1930s as part of the Public Works Art Project. Due to Coit Tower’s historic significance, original character-defining materials were repaired rather than replaced whenever possible, and conservation measures were taken to stabilize the artwork while keeping it accessible to the public. Coit Memorial Tower attracts thousands of visitors annually from all over the world for its stunning views of San Francisco and the Bay Area, and for its colorful murals. Repairing the exterior, restoring interior finishes, improving accessibility, and conserving the building’s artwork, ensures the historic tower’s continued existence as an iconic international cultural destination.