- Learn about the history of Embarcadero Plaza
With over 50 years of history, Embarcadero Plaza is deeply connected to San Francisco’s past and is an important part of its future.
Historic fountain photos
Historic plaza photos
Historic Plaza aerials
Timeline - Learn about the history of Embarcadero Plaza
With over 50 years of history, Embarcadero Plaza is deeply connected to San Francisco’s past and is an important part of its future.
Space acquired by San Francisco
San Francisco Redevelopment Agency acquires and clears the space that now makes up Embarcadero Plaza.
Embarcadero Freeway begins construction
The now-controversial Embarcadero Freeway begins construction.
Embarcadero Freeway opens
The freeway fully opens, an imposing structure separating the waterfront from downtown.
What to do About Market Street
Lawrence Halprin describes five distinct districts of Market Street in the 1962 report What to do About Market Street.
Fountain design competition
A design competition for the fountain at Embarcadero Plaza kicks off. Five international sculptors submit designs: Armand Vaillancourt, James Melchert, Reuben Nakian, Jacques Overhoff, and Alicia Penalba. The competition’s jury is composed of Lawrence Halprin, John Savage Bolles, and Mario Ciampi.
Vaillancourt Fountain selected
The design by Armand Vaillancourt, a Québecois sculptor, wins the competition the Embarcadero Plaza fountain.
Vaillancourt Fountain construction begins
Construction involves the installation of 710 tons of material, with some of the concrete elements weighing over 10 tons each.
Vaillancourt Fountain is completed
The fountain is completed at a cost of $310,000, with a dedication attended by local and national leaders. When running, the fountain circulates 30,000 gallons of water per minute.
Embarcadero Plaza is completed
Design by Lawrence Halprin & Associates in a joint venture with Mario Ciampi & Associates and John Bolles & Associates.
Plaza renamed as “Justin Herman Plaza”
Until this point, the plaza has been known as Embarcadero Plaza. It is renamed after the former Executive Director of the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency.
La Chiffonnière sculpture installed
La Chiffonnière (“Rag Woman”) by Jean Dubuffet is installed in Embarcadero Plaza. The sculpture is part of the privately-owned Embarcadero Center art collection.
Renovation of the brick portion of Embarcadero Plaza
This renovation, led by William Turnbull of the firm MLTW/Turnbull, includes tiered seating, expanded steps, and an outdoor stage platform.
World-renowned skateboarding
The plaza becomes an international sensation during the rise of modern street skateboarding in the late 1980s.
U2 takes over the plaza
U2 performs a free concert at Embarcadero Plaza. Bono climbs on the Vaillancourt Fountain during the performance.
Loma Prieta earthquake damages the Embarcadero Freeway
The Loma Prieta earthquake severely damages the Embarcadero Freeway.
Demolition of the Embarcadero Freeway begins
After the damage of the Loma Prieta earthquake, the Embarcadero Freeway is demolished beginning in 1991. At the same time, plans for a renovation of Embarcadero Plaza are discussed.
Embarcadero Plaza almost disappears
Early renovation designs in the 1990s called for new plaza and removal of the Vaillancourt Fountain. The plans are eventually scaled back.
Digitally skating Embarcadero Plaza
A model of the plaza is included in the popular Tony Hawk Pro Skater video game due to its skateboarding fame.
Plaza renovation
Between 1998 and 2001, substantial renovations take place across the entire plaza. At the same time, Harry Bridges Plaza is constructed between the two directions of traffic on the Embarcadero.
Fountain threatened then turned back on
Supervisor Aaron Peskin introduces a resolution to explore the possible removal and replacement of the Vaillancourt Fountain. The water, which had been turned off, is turned back on, which had been the true intent of the resolution.
Abraham Lincoln Brigade Monument installed
Designed by Ann Chamberlain and Walter Hood, it is dedicated to the Americans who volunteered to fight fascism in Spain during the 1930s. The monument is 40 feet long and 8 feet high, with 44 translucent panels displayed in a large steel frame.
Bocce courts added
With community funding and labor, two bocce courts are installed on the Southern portion of the plaza.
Market Street Cultural Landscape District
Embarcadero Plaza becomes a contributor to the Market Street Cultural Landscape District, a historic resource listed on the California Register of Historical Resources. The California Register program encourages public recognition and protection of historic resources.
Embarcadero Plaza as named
The plaza is renamed from “Justin Herman Plaza” back to its original Embarcadero Plaza name.
Abraham Lincoln Brigade Monument repaired
The monument is repaired between 2018-2020, after which it is returned to Embarcadero Plaza.
Temporary padel courts installed
Temporary, privately run padel courts are installed next to the Vaillancourt Fountain on the brick of Embarcadero Plaza.
Continuing public art installations
Embarcadero Plaza hosts temporary public art installations, with the most recent being R-Evolution by Marco Cochrane in 2025.