The Vaillancourt fountain, a massive concrete sculpture that has dominated San Francisco's Embarcadero Plaza since the 1970s, is being dismantled after the city voted to potentially replace it with a grassy park. The process took a dramatic turn in early May when a fire broke out, likely caused by a spark from a torch-cutter igniting debris accumulated in one of the fountain's dormant tubes.
Designed by artist Armand Vaillancourt in 1971, the fountain was the centrepiece of a red-brick plaza that became a hub for skateboarding culture in the 1980s and 1990s. Known as EMB, the plaza was one of the most iconic skateboarding locations in the world, drawing skaters who recognised the fountain as a landmark.
In recent years, the fountain became a point of contention. Property owners and the parks department argued it was unsafe and no longer functional, while activists, skateboarders, and Vaillancourt himself fought to preserve it for its cultural significance. Despite petitions and community input, the San Francisco Arts Commission voted to decommission the structure.
The dismantling is expected to cost $4 million, covering storage and further assessment. Critics mourn the loss of a unique piece of architectural heritage, while supporters see it as an opportunity to create an open, accessible space.
