1950s to the present Westin St. Francis

president gerald ford, secret service personnel , bystanders pictured outside st. francis after assassination attempt sara jane moore.

the st. francis still owned crocker family until end of world war ii, when crocker family sold hotel magnate ben swig, sold edwin b. degolia. in 1954, hotel became twenty-third property of western hotel chain, based in pacific northwest, became western international , westin hotels.

with acquisition western hotels, hotel changed home of elderly san francisco socialites, of whom lived in large suites in hotel, modern hotel focusing on tourism , conventions. old mural room, decorated albert herter in 1913 7 murals comprising pageant of nations, banquet , ballroom had hosted many of america s famous big bands, replaced in 1970 6 hundred room tower, designed st. francis compete fairmont, rival on nearby nob hill. architect william pereira designed new building completed in 1972. murals rolled , removed storage.

the st. francis became hotel republican presidents stayed when in san francisco, while democratic presidents stayed @ fairmont. president gerald ford shot while leaving hotel in september 1975 woman named sara jane moore. former marine named oliver sipple moved hand ford not hit. president ronald reagan frequent guest of hotel. st. francis hosted many world leaders, including queen elizabeth ii , emperor hirohito of japan.

in march 2016 hotel purchased anbang insurance group, beijing-based chinese insurance company, part of $6.5 billion deal involving st. francis , 15 other luxury hotels , resorts.