Originally built in 1983, the hotel underwent a major renovation and remodeling in 1993.  At that time, Barry Design Associates created the current stylish and distinctive design, which takes inspiration from the Art Moderne designs prevalent in the 1930s in Europe.  This year, Barry Design Associates built on the very best of the original design and made the hotel even more impressive.  The renovations have contemporized the hotel with urban, cosmopolitan luxury in mind.  Designed for pleasure but equipped for business, the revamped, refreshed property continues to pamper both business and leisure travelers in comfort and metropolitan elegance.

In the final stage, the renovations addressed a fresh look to the carpets, paint, curtains, fabrics, artwork and lighting. Improvements and enhancements are also planned for the signage and to the porte-cochiere at the main entrance to give the Argent a greater street presence later this year. 

�These enhancements are a visual expression of our efforts to transform the Argent into a contemporary property ready to serve our guests well into the future,� said Managing Director, Don Timbie.   �We want all areas of the Argent to reflect our commitment to creating a luxurious and attentive atmosphere designed for the pleasure of our guests.� 

In the hotel lobby, all woods have been refinished to revive the rich mahogany.  The ornate gold leaf has been restored and brightened.  Several custom designed pieces enhanced the elegance of the lobby area. The entryway features a European-made credenza with mother-of-pearl inlay.  Draped behind the chest, silken curtains in champagne, ivory and light gold diffuse additional light from overhead spotlights.  A locally designed, wrought iron torchiere lamp enhances lighting in the lobby area.  An eggplant-colored mohair chaise accented with golden silk pillows help to increase lobby seating, giving the lobby a more welcoming, relaxed ambiance. 

The hip, newly designed lounge, Jesters, features a new color scheme, and further enhanced the existing original playing-card artwork by well-known artist Donald Sultan.  New upholstery in a diamond harlequin pattern of luxurious burgundy and black with golden trim invokes the whimsical spirit of the court jester. The complex and playful designs of the new carpeting excite the imagination and invigorate the senses.  Sleek gold curtains hanging from ceiling to floor between the columns in the lounge help further brighten and energize the area.

Jester�s foyer has an elegant new chandelier in glass and brass.  All seating in the restaurant has been reupholstered in plush, black leather with velvety wine-colored trim.  The luster of the tables is restored with a refinishing and carpets have been replaced to reflect the new theme.  In addition, the original, hand-painted murals inspired by Fornasetti�s �City of Cards� has been retouched.  The marble in the restrooms has been refinished, with new wainscoting on the walls.

The second stage of the renovations began with a �soft goods� renovation to the guestrooms and hallways.  New wallpaper, paint, carpet, curtains, linens, bedding and artwork was brought into the guestrooms, which all feature floor-to-ceiling windows offering spectacular panoramic views.   The abundant natural light of the guestrooms is accentuated with more sheer, silken fabrics and brighter colors.  In the guest bathrooms, the marble is refinished and ivory wallpaper added.  Corridors got new carpets, wallcovers and enhanced lighting.  

The look of the Ballroom was modernized with custom designed wallpaper in shades of gold and ivory with brass accents and the luxurious feel of fabric.  To further revitalize the room, the wood accents were refinished and the current lighting enhanced.  New seating is designed with a playful golden swirl pattern set in a rich, black background to counterpoint the elegant diamond patterns of the new carpeting.  

The meeting and reception areas have been brightened with light gold and sage green colors and playful patterns in the rich, new carpeting, seating and wallpaper.  All renovations on these spaces are complete. 

�Our main goal is to ensure the continuity of the hotel�s timeless qualities with a marriage contemporary sophistication,� said Timbie.  �It�s important that the design does not take itself too seriously � We want the Argent to celebrate its unique personality and be as urbanly upbeat as the SOMA we call home.� 

The Argent Hotel stands high above San Francisco�s new downtown�the artistically cosmopolitan-chic South of Market Area (SOMA).  With breathtaking floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views and custom furnishings, each of the Hotel�s 667 recently remolded guestrooms and suites are designed with metropolitan elegance in mind.  Equipped for business, and designed for pleasure, The Argent Hotel offers warm, attentive service delivered with true San Francisco flair.  Cozy, contemporary, cool�discover The Argent and discover perfection.  For more information visit our web site at www.argenthotel.com.

The Argent, is part of a family of properties owned by Destination Hotels & Resorts.  Each of the over 30 distinctive, well-situated Destination Hotels & Resorts properties offer exceptional recreational opportunities and conference facilities.  Properties include the Hotel del Coronado near San Diego; the Inverness Hotel & Golf Club near Denver; the Royal Palms Hotel & Casitas in Phoenix; Wild Dunes Resort in Charleston, S.C.; Sunriver Resort in Sunriver, Oregon; and Tenaya Lodge in Yosemite, California.