San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center

What San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center does

The San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center (the "War Memorial") is a municipal department of the City and County of San Francisco, governed by an eleven-member Board of Trustees appointed by the Mayor. Founded in 1932 as a World War I memorial complex and operating continuously since, it manages six performance venues in San Francisco's Civic Center: Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall (2,739 seats), War Memorial Opera House (3,006 seats), Herbst Theatre (892 seats), The Green Room, the Wilsey Center (Atrium Theater and Education Studio), and the Harold L. Zellerbach Rehearsal Hall — totaling nearly 7,000 seats across the campus.

The organization operates as a venue landlord rather than a performing arts producer. It does not present or produce events directly; instead, it rents its facilities to performing arts companies, community organizations, corporate clients, film and photography productions, and private event planners. Pricing is transaction-based with disclosed per-event rate cards that vary by venue, day of week, and 501(c)(3)/government status. Resident companies — the San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Opera, and San Francisco Ballet — anchor the largest venues, paying rent that includes a 10% gross-receipts share on paid-admission performances at Davies Symphony Hall. Technical infrastructure is professionally scaled: IATSE Local 16 union stage labor is required across all venues, and the portfolio includes a Meyer Constellation acoustic-adjustment system in the Atrium Theater, a Ruffatti concert organ and Meyer Leopard PA in Davies, an L/Acoustics Kudo line array in Herbst, and an automated 66-line fly rail in the Opera House. Security runs on the Evolv Express patron-screening system. Food and beverage is delivered exclusively by Global Gourmet Catering, and ticket sales flow through City Box Office or resident company box offices.

Revenue is not publicly disclosed for the institution, and operations are funded through a combination of venue rentals, concessions, and municipal appropriations rather than equity financing. Headcount is reported in the 1,001–5,000 range, reflecting the inclusion of unionized stage labor, food service staff, security, and administrative personnel. As a government entity, the War Memorial is not a conventional PE/VC investment target: it cannot be acquired, has no shareholders, and its competitive position rests on municipal ownership of irreplaceable historic venues and exclusive tenancy relationships with the Bay Area's major resident arts institutions.

Name

San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center

Legal name

San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center

Website

https://sfwarmemorial.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1932

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

The San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center is a City and County of San Francisco municipal department that operates six historic Civic Center performance venues totaling roughly 7,000 seats, renting them to resident arts companies, presenters, film productions, and private event clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Venue Rentals

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Multipurpose Event Center Operations (Civic Centers, Community Event Complexes) (MPAGALAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Concert Halls & Music Venue Operations (Symphony Halls, Recital Venues) (MPAGALAC), Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB), Music Venues & Venue Operators (Clubs, Theaters, Arenas) (MPAIAFAB)

Keywords

• Performing arts venue rentals
• Event venue management
• Concert hall operations
• Historic event spaces
• Performance venue booking

Headquarters

HQ city

South San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Venue Rentals: Primary revenue from renting six performance venues (Davies Symphony Hall, War Memorial Opera House, Herbst Theatre, The Green Room, Wilsey Center, Zellerbach Rehearsal Hall) to performing arts organizations, corporate clients, wedding parties, and film/photography productions. Rental rates vary by venue, day of week, and nonprofit vs. standard status. Additional revenue from personnel fees, equipment rentals, insurance, merchandise sales commissions (10% of gross), and food/beverage services through exclusive caterer Global Gourmet Catering.
2. Performance-Based Rent: For Davies Symphony Hall, rent for performances with paid admission equals 10% of gross receipts per performance, with minimum rent of $3,420 and maximum of $9,750.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center manages and rents six performance and event venues (Davies Symphony Hall, War Memorial Opera House, Herbst Theatre, The Green Room, Wilsey Center, and Harold L. Zellerbach Rehearsal Hall) to performing arts presenters, corporate event planners, wedding clients, and film/photography productions. The Center provides professional production infrastructure including IATSE Local 16 union stage labor, advanced acoustic systems, and exclusive food and beverage services through partner Global Gourmet Catering, while ticket sales for events are handled by presenting organizations and City Box Office rather than directly by the Center.

Product overview

The San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center is a cultural institution comprised of six performance venues offering a combined capacity of nearly 7000 seats. The portfolio includes Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall (2739 seats, home to San Francisco Symphony), War Memorial Opera House (3006 seats, home to San Francisco Opera and Ballet), Herbst Theatre (892 seats), The Green Room (event venue for 185-400 guests), Wilsey Center (Atrium Theater and Education Studio for intimate events), and Harold L. Zellerbach Rehearsal Hall (three rehearsal spaces). Supporting services include virtual tours, community engagement programs, film/photography rentals, and exclusive Global Gourmet Catering food and beverage operations. The center is owned and operated by the City and County of San Francisco.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall 2,739-seat auditorium opened in 1980, home to the San Francisco Symphony, featuring sweeping views of San Francisco City Hall and curved glass-enclosed lobby. Houses one of the largest concert hall organs in North America. Rentals vary from $3,420 to $9,750 with additional setup/rehearsal day at $3,795 and 10% of gross receipts for paid-admission performances.
• War Memorial Opera House 3,006-seat Beaux-Arts auditorium opened in 1932, home to San Francisco Opera and San Francisco Ballet. Features an ornate Main Lobby with 38-foot ceiling for cocktail receptions and dinners, and automated fly rail with 66 linesets for theatrical productions. Rentals range from $3,215 to $9,170.
• Herbst Theatre 892-seat venue in the Veterans Building hosting over 200 shows annually. Features Frank Brangwyn murals from the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition and was the site of the United Nations Charter signing on June 26, 1945. Rental rates start at $3,050 for one performance plus same-day rehearsal.
• The Green Room Beaux-Arts event space on the second floor of the Veterans Building hosting over 200 functions and 40,000 guests annually. Features 24-lamp chandeliers, russet tiled loggia, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking City Hall. Available Monday-Thursday at $2,450, Friday-Sunday at $2,750, and weddings at $3,800 for 12-hour access.
• Wilsey Center for Opera (Atrium Theater and Education Studio) Located on the fourth floor of the Veterans Building, includes Atrium Theater with 4,225 sq ft footprint and built-in Meyer Constellation Acoustic System, plus Education Studio with 2,900 sq ft and skylight ceiling. Standard rental starts at $1,915 for one performance plus same-day rehearsal.
• Harold L. Zellerbach Rehearsal Hall Flexible rehearsal facility opened in 1981 with three halls: Hall A (7,600 sq ft stage area with orchestra pit and fly space matching Opera House dimensions), Hall B (3,250 sq ft), and Hall C (2,850 sq ft). Halls B or C rental at $870 standard; Hall A at $1,645.
• Film & Photography Venue Rental Venue rental services for commercial film and photography projects across all six War Memorial venues, having served clients such as Ford, American Express, and Eileen West for commercial shoots, and films including The Right Stuff, Milk, and Steve Jobs. Still photography starts at $450 minimum (4 hours); filming at $560 minimum (4 hours).
• Wedding & Reception Services Wedding ceremonies and receptions hosted in The Green Room during July and August, with catering kitchen and freight elevator access included. Wedding package at $3,800 for 12-hour access, plus $160 (nonprofit) or $200 (standard) per additional hour before midnight.
• Global Gourmet Catering (Food & Beverage Services) Exclusive in-house food and beverage services across all War Memorial venues including Café Valor (Intelligentsia coffee and pastries), Prelude at the Opera House (pre-theater dining), North Box Restaurant (California cuisine), Dress Circle Lounge, Café Express, and Tuning Fork Café. All catering at Green Room and Zellerbach Rehearsal Hall must use Global Gourmet.

Quantifiable outcome

• Almost 7,000 combined seats across six venues
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Global Gourmet CateringcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerExclusive in-house food and beverage services provider for all War Memorial venues including Davies Symphony Hall, War Memorial Opera House, and Herbst Theatre. Provides performance concessions, Prelude at the Opera House restaurant, North Box Restaurant, Dress Circle Lounge, Café Express, Tuning Fork Café, and Café Valor in Veterans Building lobby. All catering at Green Room and Zellerbach Rehearsal Hall must use Global Gourmet.
• IATSE Local 16coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnion stage crew requirement for all theatrical, audio, and visual equipment installation and operation at War Memorial venues. Required for performances and events including audio and video recording. Provides professional production labor across all six War Memorial venues.
• American Legion War Memorial Commission (ALWMC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinates use of Veterans Building facilities for established posts and patriotic organizations as provided for in the War Memorial Charter. Manages meeting room scheduling for veteran organizations.
• San Francisco Arts CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTenant in Veterans Building with gallery space hosting rotating exhibitions with military and veterans themes.
• City Box OfficecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRequired ticketing partner for Herbst Theatre performances and non-resident presenters in War Memorial Opera House and Davies Symphony Hall. Provides ticket sales services including set-up, ticket printing, and night-of-show sellers.
• San Francisco BalletcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary resident performing arts company at War Memorial Opera House, performing classical ballet repertoire. Home company since the Opera House opened in 1932.
• San Francisco OperacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary resident performing arts company at War Memorial Opera House, performing opera repertoire. Home company since the Opera House opened in 1932. Also shares use of Wilsey Center Atrium Theater and Education Studio.
• San Francisco SymphonycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary resident performing arts company at Davies Symphony Hall since it opened in 1980. Previously performed at War Memorial Opera House from 1932-1980.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sydney Opera House: Iconic multi-venue performing arts complex operated as a government entity, housing opera, symphony, ballet, and theater companies. Comparable as a publicly-owned, architecturally iconic, multi-tenant performing arts campus with venue rental and presenter operations.
• Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts: Multi-venue civic performing arts complex in NYC operating concert halls, opera houses, and theaters under a single institutional umbrella. Directly comparable multi-venue structure with resident company model (NY Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera, NYCB) and similar municipal/philanthropic backing.
• Segerstrom Center for the Arts: Multi-venue performing arts center in Costa Mesa, CA operating Segerstrom Hall, Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, and Samueli Theater. Closely comparable as a California-based non-profit multi-venue performing arts complex with similar presenter/tenant model.
• Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts: Philadelphia multi-venue performing arts campus including Verizon Hall, Merriam Theater, and SEI Innovation Studio. Comparable as a non-profit civic performing arts center housing resident companies (Philadelphia Orchestra, Pennsylvania Ballet) with similar presenter rental structure.
• Playhouse Square: Cleveland's large multi-venue performing arts district with ten performance spaces including historic theaters and concert halls. Comparable scale (largest performing arts center in the US outside NYC) and similar venue rental/presenter business model.
• The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts: Federal performing arts center in Washington DC operating multiple theaters and concert halls with resident companies (NSO, Washington National Opera). Closest US analog as a publicly-owned multi-venue performing arts campus.
• The Music Center: Los Angeles civic performing arts campus comprising Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Ahmanson Theatre, Mark Taper Forum, and Walt Disney Concert Hall. Directly comparable multi-venue municipal performing arts complex with similar anchor company model (LA Opera, Center Theatre Group, LA Philharmonic).
• AT&T Performing Arts Center: Dallas multi-venue performing arts center including Winspear Opera House, Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre, and Strauss Square. Comparable as a non-profit civic performing arts campus housing opera, theater, and Broadway touring presenters.
• Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts: Miami performing arts center operating the Ziff Ballet Opera House and Knight Concert Hall. Comparable as a major multi-venue performing arts facility housing resident companies (Miami City Ballet, Florida Grand Opera) and similar presenter rental model.
• Barbican Centre: London's multi-venue civic arts complex operated by the City of London Corporation, including the Barbican Hall, theatre, and cinemas housing resident companies (London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Shakespeare Company). Comparable as a publicly-owned multi-venue performing arts campus with similar resident tenant and rental model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SFWarMemorialPerformingArtsCenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thesfwarmemorial
• Instagraminstagram.com/thesfwarmemorial

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center