Park Manor is now the Inn at the Park
Upon entering the gracious hotel lobby, the Italian Renaissance designs of noted architect Frank Allen unveil the elegant style of the seven-story landmark. If you haven’t been before, stop by this red brick apartment hotel built in 1926, which spans the block along Spruce Street from Sixth to Fifth avenues.
Master architect Frank Allen first came to San Diego in 1911 as a director for the upcoming Panama-California Exposition, which was to begin four years later in what is now Balboa Park. He constructed the iconic Cabrillo Bridge as well as many of the exposition buildings and gardens. A decade later, Allen gathered a group of investors (including child actor Jackie Coogan’s family) and designed the hotel’s 82 suites in five different types each containing a living room, dining area, sleeping/dressing areas and bathroom. Hailed as one of San Diego’s most elegant apartment hotel residences, the architect and his wife promptly moved in immediately after completion. The iconic building became the “grand dame” of Bankers Hill and after a 1978 purchase and an extensive remodel by Dr. Stanley Willis II (see HQ7), a beloved home to the LGBT community. (Especially by gay men who pack the roof each Friday night for happy hour.)
The Greater San Diego Business Association will be presenting its 2011 Corporate Partner of the Year award to the hotel on June 23. Their director of marketing, Ed Delehanty who is celebrating 19 years with the neighborhood hotel, is looking forward to an exciting future with the new owners, Shell Vacations, which purchased the property in earlier this month. President Tracy Sherles stated, “We are very pleased and excited to announce the acquisition and addition of this historic hotel into the Shell Vacations’ portfolio. Inn at the Park will be a signature location for our company, and we look forward to serving its customers and guests with the quality and service our company is known for.”
Shell Vacations features a collection of 25 unique resorts in major travel destinations throughout North America. As part of the acquisition, the company also announced it will officially change the name to Inn at the Park in an effort to maintain brand recognition with other similar properties within their collection. With a reputation for superior service, gorgeous neo-renaissance architecture and home-away-from-home amenities, the Inn at the Park is an ideal addition to the Shell Vacations family of hotels and resorts that are designed to accommodate leisure vacations, business trips and everything in between.
