News Release

National Park Service takes next step in securing food & beverage operations at Lands End Restaurant location

NPS photo

News Release Date: August 17, 2021

SAN FRANCISCO—In an effort to find a new food and beverage provider for the Lands End Restaurant location in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the National Park Service (NPS) is canceling the 2019 request for qualifications (RFQ). This cancellation will allow the NPS to issue a revised request for proposals (RFP) in the coming months.   

Since the RFQ was released in August 2019 economic conditions have changed, due in large part to the COVID-19 pandemic causing significant changes to the restaurant and hospitality industries. This change in economic conditions for the site warrants the need to restart the solicitation process.   

This revised RFP will take into consideration the impacts the pandemic has had on the food and beverage industry and will be open to all interested parties. Following completion of the RFP process, NPS will select a single entity for exclusive negotiations of the final lease. The lease is expected to begin in late 2022.  

“We recognize how important this site is to the community and taking this step in the solicitation process will allow us to find a long-term occupant for the properties,” said Charles Strickfaden, communications director for Golden Gate National Recreation Area. “Despite the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, we are committed to inviting the public back to this unique and beloved space.”   

In addition to long-term planning for the properties, NPS has also secured two agreements for short-term usage of the Lands End building.   

A permit for Western Neighborhoods Projects, a non-profit historical organization based in the Richmond District, will allow use of the building’s former gift shop as a museum space through April 2022. The group’s public pop-up exhibit, which will open in the coming weeks, will showcase many of the historic items that used to be displayed at the former restaurant.   

The park has also entered into an agreement with the FOR-SITE Foundation, a San Francisco non-profit arts organization, which will begin next month and continue through April 2022. The exhibit will be open to the public and set up throughout the building and will include artwork with themes related to the environment and sustainability.  

The NPS plans to issue the new RFP later this year and announce a final selection by mid-2022 with a new lease effective later in 2022.