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Union Square, one of San
Francisco's main retail and
cultural centers, also
refers to the actual park
bordered by Geary, Powell,
Post and Stockton streets.
Set aside as a park in 1850
and named before the start
of the Civil War as a
tribute to the frequent
demonstrations in support of
the Union troop, the park
got a major renovation and
restoration in 2002.
Union Square The redesign,
which transformed the square
from a grassy slope to a
granite platform, made the
square more accessible in
the literal sense (the old
configuration had only four
entrances, at the corners),
but was criticized by some
for its aura of emptiness
(and also for uncomfortable
benches). Though the planned
fountain is still on the
way, the square has mostly
settled in as a spacious
meeting spot where people
can take in the sights of
the cable cars, hotels and
throngs of shoppers. There
are occasional music and
dance performances, a TIX
Bay Area half-price theater
ticketing booth and a small
cafe, and the Macy's holiday
tree takes center stage in
November.
Sutter, Post, and Geary
streets are filled with fine
art galleries, some focusing
on selling works by big
names like Picasso and
Chagall, and others devoted
to exhibiting works by
contemporary artists. San
Francisco's only Frank Lloyd
Wright building, built in
1949 and currently housing
the Xanadu Gallery, is
located at 140 Maiden Lane,
and features the same
circular interior as the
famed Guggenheim Museum in
New York.
This is also San Francisco's
main theater district, with
some historic, beautiful
buildings housing the
performances. Shows range
from traveling Broadway and
off-Broadway shows on
limited runs to smaller
local productions.
Views of the square are best
from Harry Denton's
Starlight Room in the Sir
Francis Drake Hotel and from
some of the second and third
floor galleries and shops
surrounding the square.
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