Coit Tower Historic Restoration

Coit Tower, the beloved San Francisco landmark, is one of the City’s most architecturally significant public buildings, known for its controversial seven-story towering design, its prominent placement on historic Telegraph Hill, and for its series of Diego Rivera-inspired frescoes depicting “Life in California” on the interior walls. In 1984, the City decided to work with expert consultants to correct spalling and water problems and to save the murals from further damage, retaining Interactive Resources, Inc. to investigate the landmark and to restore the tower to its original condition. Our firm developed a program to restore the integrity and beauty of the structure and to stop water infiltration into the tower lobby. New materials were carefully specified to duplicate the original materials in strength, composition, color, and texture. The restoration work on the exterior of the tower was completed in November 1988. An art conservator completed restoration of the murals early in 1989, and the tower was reopened to the public on July 18, 1990 following the installation of protective barriers.