San Diego is getting a new dose of historic luxury when The Guild opens this spring. The 162-room Marriott Tribute Portfolio property is housed in the Army-Navy landmark building which previously hosted millions of service men and women. The property is being reimagined by Alvin Mansour (Oram Hotels) and Azul Hospitality Group as a creative, design-forward destination for travelers.
History
As the number of military bases in San Diego increased in the 1920s, there grew a need for a place of community and recreation for the uniformed men and women. Enter the iconic Army-Navy YMCA building which hosted tens of thousands of guests within months of opening its doors. Through the years, more than 125 million military personnel have benefited from its services. In 2007, the site was officially registered as a Historic Place by the U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service.
In 2014, independent real estate maven Mansour relocated to San Diego’s downtown center and took an interest in the historic landmark building. After acquiring ownership, him and Oram Hotels co-founder Kevin Mansour, began to transform the property into an eight-floor hotel with guest rooms, al fresco restaurant, intimate lobby and bar, grand ballroom, private penthouse, garden courtyard and suite of creative event spaces.
“The YMCA building has always been a jewel in the middle of a long overlooked part of the city and I knew it had the potential to become something unique from the start,” said Mansour. “Downtown San Diego has so much to offer, not only to tourists, but locals alike, and we are committed to creating something new, unexpected and authentic to the city we call home and its evolving cultural imprint.”
Alvin Mansour, Co-Founder, Oram Hotels
Design and Amenities
The new look will incorporate a flair of independent European properties while still maintaining San Diego’s casual cool. Interior designer Sormeh Azad of Sormeh Rienne will bring Mansour’s vision to life. Azad is known for her work with now infamous spaces in L.A. like The Nice Guy, Bootsy Bellows and Shorebar.
The exterior Italian Renaissance-style detailing, facade and grand staircase of The Guild will be left largely untouched. Inside, guests can look forward to a boutique-style lobby, a striking full-service bar, European-inspired accommodations and a signature restaurant with lush green surroundings and a Mediterranean-inspired menu. The YMCA’s former basketball court with elevated running track will be transformed into a grand ballroom, keeping the original brick wall inlays and hardwood floors. The underground pool on the basement level will be reimagined into a one-of-a-kind event space with original design elements. Along with a beautiful design aesthetic, The Guild will have smart features, technology-drive amenities and highly personalized service.
The Guild is a Tribute Portfolio property, a collection of curated independent hotels within Marriott, united by a common focus on design, creativity, community and a unique sense of spirit.
For more information, visit: theguildhotel.com
