"Before" - pre-demolition shots - the last days of the Cathedral Hill Hotel

Some last shots before demolition begins.

These are the last days for this luxury hotel, which opened in 1960 and has occupied this city block for 54 years. When it opened it was considered one of the most luxurious hotels in the city, although it was criticized by many who considered its modern architecture to be ugly. (Note that it was painted very differently in those first years.)

It was advertised as San Francisco's "first hotel with air conditioning." During the Cold War, guests were assured the hotel had "a centrally controlled air raid warning system." It had a rooftop skating rink, an outdoor heated pool, wedding chapel and underground parking for 500 cars.

It closed October 30, 2009 and is about to be demolished to make way for construction of a new hospital.

The video here was recorded in September, 2013.