The Cosmopolitan Hotel in the Old Town in San Diego is due to reopen in June, following a multimillion dollar restoration. The roof tiles have been installed and Soltek Pacific, the general contractor, said that the construction work in 80 per cent complete.
The work is being funded by California State Parks, a California Cultural and Historical Endowment, Delaware North Companies and Old Town Family Hospitality. Contractors involved in the restoration include Heritage Architecture and Planning, ASM Affiliates and IS Architecture.
The hotel is recognised as a historical building in California, as it was built between 1827 and 1829 as San Diego pioneer Juan Bandini’s home. It was made with 50,000 handmade adobe bricks. The house was turned into a hotel in 1869, when a second floor was added to the building.
Whilst restoring the hotel, both archaeologists and architects have attempted to keep the building as historically accurate as possible, by using bricks from the site and salvaging the two fireplaces on the upper level.
The lower level is being preserved and the exterior side wall on the upper floor is still the original 1869 wood.
Old Town Family Hospitality Corporation, president, Chuck Ross said: “Excitement about The Cosmo’s completion is rising. We have meeting planners from across the country as well as San Diego residents calling on a regular basis regarding the status of the building.”
