The historic Trocadero Clubhouse at Sigmund Stern Grove has reopened for weddings and celebrations following extensive repairs, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department announced.
The 133-year-old landmark sustained significant damage in March 2023 when a storm felled an 85-foot eucalyptus tree onto its roof, causing structural and water damage, the park department said.
Preservation experts restored the clubhouse to its original condition, replacing the roof, windows, floors, and other elements.
Rangers said they responded to an alarm at the Trocadero Clubhouse at 5:30 a.m. on March 11, 2023, after the eucalyptus tree dropped down. Park officials said they found the structure’s roof and eave partially crushed.
The inside of the clubhouse also got flooded with water and was damaged from sprinkler water.
First recognized as a city landmark in 2022, the Trocadero was a roadhouse built in 1892 that offered dancing and gambling at roulette tables. The clubhouse was once operated by sugar magnate Adolph Spreckles, and also served as a hideout for notorious political grafter Abe Ruef in 1907 as he faced trial.
“This is soul crushing,” said San Francisco Recreation and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg at the time. “The Trocadero and Stern Grove are San Francisco treasures. It will take political leadership, resources and community resolve to put the Trocadero back together again.”
The building was red tagged because of the structural and water damage by the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection.
The $2.5 million recovery project, managed by San Francisco Public Works, was funded by Rec and Park, with expected reimbursement from the US Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA.
“The clubhouse is a vital part of San Francisco’s cultural heritage and ensuring we could restore it to its former glory was critical,” said Ginsburg in a release sent out by his office Wednesday. “This project was a testament to our commitment to preserving spaces that honor our City’s history and providing inviting spaces that unite communities.”
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