NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - Dec 27, 2013) - Banks and hotels aren't usually coupled together, but the Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Downtown mastered this pairing in their recent renovation of the hotel located in the former San Diego Trust & Savings Bank building. The downtown San Diego hotel planned a $6 million revitalization of the hotel for Spring 2013, and it needed a designer who could take the historic property into the future while not only maintaining, but embracing the character of the distinguished former financial institution.
Portland's SERA Architects were tasked with the job, and not only did their team create a space to impress guests, but it also impressed industry insiders, taking home the title of Best Hotel (Midscale) at the 33rd annual Gold Key Awards for Excellence in Hospitality Design. The awards, honoring "outstanding hospitality design worldwide for properties completed or renovated within the past 18 months," were revealed in New York City on November 10th, taking into consideration more than 260 international projects.
The history behind the building provided inspiration for the redesign of these downtown San Diego accommodations, which feature a custom lacquered screen to separate the space into zones for lounging and sleeping, patterned carpeting, a geometric headboard and amenities including a coffeemaker and refrigerator.
SERA's renovation also included the downtown San Diego hotel's event venues, formerly the bank's vaults. The renovation of the safe deposit room into a meeting space maintained the floor-to-ceiling safe deposit boxes, which now surround a marble conference table.
Perhaps the biggest part of the renovation of this 1920s Italian Renaissance-style building was the lobby. The massive space needed to feel inviting, and so SERA Architects set out to create a space that offers intimate lounging areas, public work spaces and a bar/restaurant. Rather than try to minimize the size of the area, the team highlighted the tall ceilings with upgraded lighting, and used the original painted ceiling as inspiration for the bold graphic textiles used throughout the lobby. Work from local artists and glass-blown fixtures above the bar add personality and charm, creating a place that's welcoming to everyone from bankers to bloggers.
About the Courtyard San Diego Downtown
The Courtyard San Diego Downtown may be housed in the former 1920s San Diego Trust & Savings Bank, but today it offers a modern, urban escape for both business and leisure travelers. The redesigned historic building retains some of its elegant details, but the highlight is the new public space and restaurant, THE LOBBY, which combines spaces and features for working, meeting, dining and relaxing. Here, guests can relax with a cup of coffee from Starbucks®, or enjoy creative California cuisine that's fresh and filling. For snacks any time of day or night, head to the 24-hour Market. To meet the needs of today's busy travelers, both the fitness center and business center are open 24 hours a day. Accommodations at this downtown San Diego hotel offer luxurious bedding, complimentary Wi-Fi, a 37-inch HDTV, desk, mini-fridge, microwave and room service. Many rooms also overlook the Bay or Gaslamp Quarter. Corporations looking for modern meeting space can choose from the 6 rooms at this unique downtown hotel, the largest of which can host up to 100 attendees. Tourists can explore the area's biggest sights with Balboa Park, SeaWorld®, San Diego Zoo and more than 100 shops and restaurants all nearby.
Contact Information:
CONTACT:
John Parker
Director of Sales
619.446.3005
