Case Study: Cavallo Point, Fort Baker, Sausalito, California

Winding through curvaceous hills just north of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, the narrow road leads to a grassy field bordered by colonial revival buildings: the old Fort Baker parade ground, officers’ quarters, and barracks. The manicured but rustic exterior does little to hint at the five-star service within, where the meticulously restored interiors have been upgraded to convert simple shelter into a luxury resort. Beyond the residences that overlook the parade ground are additional buildings, some original, some newly added, that contain a spa, a chapel, administrative offices, and additional lodging for a total of just over 140 rooms.

Cavallo Point, The Lodge at the Golden Gate, sits within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, which is controlled by the National Park Service. It is owned and managed by the Fort Baker Retreat Group. Completed in 2008 by a consortium led by Equity Community Builders, Cavallo Point represents an impressive integration of three agendas: historic preservation, modern amenities, and green performance—any two of which can be challenging to combine in most settings.