El Cortez Condominium Project Approved by Planning Commission

The Downtown Planning Commission voted to approve a new 12-story condominium building alongside the iconic El Cortez Hotel, a nationally registered historic resource in downtown San Diego. . The project was developed by J. Peter Block Companies and designed by Safdie Rabines Architects. Andre Gomez, former associate at Safdie Rabines, worked closely with Taal Safdie to develop the design and champion its approval. The development team noted the following about the design: 

“Conforming to the Secretary of Interior Standards for Rehabilitation, the architectural approach maintains the El Cortez Hotel’s historic distinction, while creating a new meaningful dialogue between the developing neighborhood and San Diego skyline. Similar to the El Cortez, 777 Beech follows a form of classic symmetry and scale. In contrast to the orthogonal El Cortez, the new elliptical shaped tower emerges from the base of the building as a modern form, sculpted to help preserve views into and from the existing building.”

The approval concludes months of public presentations and debate in which the design team successfully demonstrated the building's legal and historic merit. This marks a merit against NIBYSM (Not in My Backyard), for pro density and quality design and development. Safdie Rabines is widely recognized for their thoughtful and elegant approach to architecture and place-making. To have a 21st-century icon juxtaposed to a historic treasure is likely to be reflected in positive light from future generations.