25 Sep 2018
Port of San Diego to construct US$1bn bayfront hotel and convention centre
BY Andrew Manns
The Port of San Diego is moving forward with its US$1bn bayfront regeneration project, which – when completed – will make the coastal city of Chula Vista the new home of a luxury hotel, convention centre, and two public parks.
The resort will be built and partially financed by the RIDA Development Corporation and will include 1,600 rooms and 275,000sq ft of space for restaurants, bars, a swimming pool and ‘lazy river’.
Plans also include a large spa, although no details on the spa facilities have yet been confirmed.
Once opened, it will be managed by Gaylord Hotels.
The waterfront's Sweetwater and Harbour Parks, which will be designed by architectural firms KTUA and the Petersen Studio, will span more than 200 acres.
In a statement, the Port of San Diego said the parks would feature a shoreline promenade and walking trails, as well areas for camping, shopping, and dining.
A portion of the natural space will also be used to create “ecological buffers to protect wildlife habitat, species and other coastal resources”.
Initially approved by the California Coastal Commission in August 2012, the bayfront project was signed off by the Board of Port Commissioners and the Chula Vista City Council in April 2018. Construction was commenced in June.
Town hall meetings between project organisers and Chula Vista residents are scheduled to being on 27 September and will continue through 2019.
Ira Mitzner, president and CEO of RIDA said: “RIDA is committed to the success of this development which will bring not only economic benefit to the Bayfront, but create a new destination for the City of Chula Vista, San Diego County, the state of California, and the region as a whole.”
The City of Chula Vista expects the project to generate create about 10,000 jobs and rake in $1.3bn for the local economy.
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