This berkeley california historic hotel was built in 1911 by the architect / engineer team of Frank T. Shea and John O. Lofquist. It was originally called The Brasfield (Stratford Hotel).

Shea and Lofquist buildings are included in many of the interesting walking tours through San Francisco. All of their buildings are historic landmarks and are included in the National Registry. Knowing what this team has built we hope we add a special flavor to an enjoyable stay with us.

This is the team that built the Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe (Our Lady of Guadalupe Church) located on Russian Hill at 906 Broadway in Sacramento. Although the name evokes the Hispanic miners who camped near here during the Gold Rush, the church dates from 1906. They also did the Roman Catholic Church, St. Vincent de Paul in Pacific Heights at 2300 Green Street in San Francisco. The former Bank of Italy building at 550 Montgomery with its ornate white marble interior was also designed in 1908 by the talented team.

Really exciting is the Mission Dolores. The parish church, commonly called the Basilica dedicated on Christmas Day in 1918. Architects Shea and Lofquist designed the new parish church in the California Mission style and of concrete and steel to withstand earthquakes.

The Sacramento Hall of Justice, in Sacramento County was another one of their buildings. St. Anselm’s Church Roman Catholic church in San Anselmo was constructed in 1908.

As for the Beau Sky hotel itself, it too is an historic landmark. It has been a girl’s boarding school (Armstrong College), and back in the day was a halfway house called The Old Blue. Badly in need of tender loving care and a vast amount of work, the present owners took it over and won the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Society award for best renovation.

Next door to the Beau Sky hotel in Berkeley is The Ellen Blood House (Tompkins House) built in 1891, by R. Gray Frise.