Halogen Guides was in attendance in San Francisco last week as the curtains were taken off of the Fairmont Heritage Place Ghirardelli Square. The 53-unit fractional development in the distinctive red-bricked renovated bay-front former factory of the city’s celebrated chocolate manufacturer has been in development for the last two years. Destination Club Exclusive Resorts has already snatched up 12 units in the development.

As far as locations go, Fairmont has certainly picked one of the most scenic corners of San Francisco, which is saying something in a city known for picture postcard vistas. As it stands now the neighborhood itself though is at something of a remove from the most city’s most dynamic cultural attractions, with apologies to nearby Fisherman’s Wharf. But with a slate of high profile restaurants and boutiques set to open within the development, it doesn’t seem unreasonable at all to see a blossoming of what is, after all a beautiful and centrally located neighborhood.

Fairmont couldn’t have done a better job of jump-starting that revitalization with a gala event Wednesday night, as it seemed more than half of San Francisco’s social set turned out evening to see check out the landmark’s facelift and get a sneak peak at some of the completed units. Mayor Gavin Newsom was in attendance, along with his predecessor Willie Brown, and bevies of attractive young men and women taking advantage of the unseasonably warm evening, not to mention the delicious cocktails and hors d’oeuvres served up by some of the Square’s new restaurant tenants. That includes celebrity chef Gary Danko who is opening a bistro in the Square, just around the corner from his Michelin 1-star establishment just around the corner on North Point. Traditionalists will be happy to learn that Ghirardelli chocolate sundaes will still be available.

We had a chance to check out some of the units including a few of the 12 purchased by destination club Exclusive Resorts. The ones we saw feature breathtaking views of the bay including landmarks like Alcatraz (unfortunately the Golden Gate Bridge is obscured.) The architectural firm Hornberger + Worstell have done a fine job converting the old chocolate factory into inviting and liveable units, preserving features like exposed patches of brick for an effect which is as nostalgic as it is hip. In the bathrooms the showers and tubs are combined behind a glass. The kitchens are on the small side but were nicely appointed- crowds were gathered in admiration around the refrigerators in each of the units we visited. Besides it seems unlikely that many residents will be cooking in too much, outside of breakfast. That said, dark wood floors, white walls, modern furniture, and tasteful photos of landscapes and buildings complete a decor which while contemporary and comfortable, can’t help but give off something of an anonymous hotel vibe.

Available in one, two, and three-bedroom units, one-tenth fractions, good for 36 days a year, begin at $275,000. Prospective owners should beware: not all of those days will be as beautiful as the one last Wednesday evening, where from atop the Fairmont’s Mustard deck we toasted the sun as it dipped below the Point Reyes hills across the Golden Gate.