San Francisco Sparkles at the Unveiling of the New RH Gallery 

Restoration was the spirit of the evening this Thursday, as San Francisco’s social set flocked to the grand unveiling of the RH Gallery in the meticulously renovated Bethlehem Steel Building. Guests streamed in from all directions toward the Classical Revival landmark, beckoned by the glowing windows and the silhouetted party-goers within. The evening marked one of the first social occasions to grace the city since the pandemic’s beginning and had the distinct feel of an overdue reunion with guests rushing across the pink marble rotunda to embrace like long-lost friends. “It’s so great to see everyone out. It’s the place to be right now,” said Jessica Moment of the event’s host committee.

Everyone was out, from Jessica Alba in a yellow tweed mini dress by Rowen Rose to Alex Daddario and Erin Foster, both sleek in black slacks, and Sara Foster in Ronny Kobo cable knit. SF’s basketball royalty was in attendance, including Warriors players Andre Iguodala, Otto Porter, Juan Toscano Anderson, and Chris Chiozza. Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr was delighted to see the space opening just a few blocks from the team’s homebase, the Chase Center. “The arena is right down the street, so we may come here after games,” said Kerr admiring the skylit Palm Court Restaurant framed by a quartet of towering trees. “I don’t remember the last event like this. This gathering feels like the city is coming back alive.” 

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia De Rossi effortlessly drew laughs from the revelers on the staircase of the beveled entryway. De Rossi has been in partnership with RH for four years through her company, General Public, which creates high-fidelity reproductions of artwork at a price point more accessible than that of original works. “It’s a great way for artists to share their work with more than just one collector, and for artists to have another revenue stream,” said De Rossi, wearing a Celine wrap skirt and matching slouched boots. The collaboration has been natural due to a shared sensibility between De Rossi and RH CEO Gary Friedman. “It’s obvious that Gary is drawn to amazing architecture, structure, and form, and that’s how he makes such beautiful pieces. He loves clean lines and classic pieces.” General Public’s mission made sense to Friedman. Said De Rossi, “Gary’s a big thinker, and we both agree it’s silly that an artist should make one piece and sell it to just one person. Imagine if the Catcher in the Rye had just one copy and one person got to read it—that’s how I think about art. That resonated with Gary and he was like, ‘let’s do it.’”

Inside, thumping electronic music from LA musician Shallou bounced off the Calacatta marble-lined atrium as guests indulged in caviar on potato chips and wine from nearby Napa and Sonoma. A mojito bar and rosé served on the rooftop drew guests up the building’s five floors where RH showrooms provided the perfect perch for sipping, or lounging, like Sara and Erin Foster, who could be seen sprawled delightfully across an oversized sofa. 

When it was time to descend the art deco elevators and leave through the hand-forged iron doors, one thing was clear: San Francisco would be back.