Port of San Diego breaks ground on hotels, park
May 22, 2014
SAN DIEGO – Port officials donned construction hats and held shovels during a special groundbreaking event, May 8 at the Lane Field construction site. The shovel ceremony marked the beginning of the long-awaited Land Field North Hotel Project.
Located at the corner of West Broadway and North Harbor Drive, the Lane Field site overlooks San Diego waterfront. The Land Field North Hotel Project consists of a dual-branded hotel that will include a 235-room SpringHill Suites by Marriott and a 147-room Residence Inn by Marriott.
“Today is the beginning of a new life for Lane Field. This former ballpark site lives in the memories of many San Diegans. It will again be a focal point for our waterfront. Anchored by the worldwide Marriott branding, this project will help link downtown San Diego and the Bay,” said Port of San Diego chairman Bob Nelson. “This development incorporates about two acres of public space including a new waterfront park for San Diegans to enjoy.”
Situated on the former home of the Pacific Coast League Padres, the $130 million project will consist of about 27,000 square feet of retail space and parking for more than 400 vehicles.
“The Lane Field project will be another boost to our region’s economy, creating jobs and revenue,” said Mayor Kevin Faulconer. “It will also provide additional public amenities and tie in nicely with the new waterfront promenade and improvements opening soon as part of the North Embarcadero Visionary Plan.”
Speakers at the special groundbreaking ceremony included San Diego City Council president Todd Gloria, John Portman IV of Portman Holdings, Rob Lankford of Lankford & Associates and Tye Turman of Marriott International.
Portman Lane Field, a real estate joint venture comprised of Portman Holdings, Lankford & Associates and Hensel Phelps, is developing the project along with AIG Global Real Estate Investment Corporation as a limited partner. In addition to the hotel, the developers are building a 1.6-acre park located at the northeast corner of the intersection of West Broadway and North Harbor Drive, running north to a property owned by the Navy at 1120 Pacific Highway. The park will add about two acres of public open space to the waterfront.
“Together these projects will make the North Embarcadero the phenomenal ‘front porch’ that it always should have been and now will be forever,” Nelson said.
The two hotels and the park will be open in early 2016.
