The Sutro Baths were once the world's largest indoor swimming establishment — a marvel of Victorian engineering that drew thousands daily. The site still stands. We're exploring whether private investment could help it thrive again.
Adolph Sutro built the Sutro Baths as a gift to San Francisco — seven swimming pools, a museum, restaurants, and an amphitheater, all housed under 100,000 square feet of glass overlooking the Pacific. At its peak, 10,000 visitors came each day. It was democratic luxury: admission cost just a nickel.
After decades of declining attendance, the Baths were lost to fire. The National Park Service later acquired the land, preserving it as part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The bones of the original structure remain — pools carved into the cliffside, foundations overlooking the Pacific.
Could a public-private partnership restore the Sutro Baths while preserving public access? The National Park Service's Section 111 Historic Lease program enables private investment in historic properties on federal land. We're researching whether this model could work here.
These renderings are explorations, not proposals — meant to open conversation about what restoration might look like.
We're local residents and builders researching feasibility and building support. No formal proposal exists yet. If you share this interest or have relevant expertise, we'd welcome hearing from you.
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