san diego

New San Diego Convention Center Would Be West Coast's Largest

San Diego has decided on the new plans for the expansion of the San Diego Convention Center. The project includes a five-acre rooftop park (rendering shown above), a truck tunnel for exhibitors and a 500-room hotel to be built on top of a nearby parking garage. The San Diego Tribune reports that architect Curtis Fentress was appointed by the convention center board. The design would make San Diego's expanded 750,000-square-foot exhibit hall the largest on the west coast, big enough to accommodate the ever-growing annual Comic-Con and other conventions. The 80,000 square foot ballroom will be the largest ballroom in a convention facility on the West Coast.

"Fentress' design for the Convention Center builds on the success of our iconic facility by embracing the waterfront location with a new, 5-acre rooftop park while delivering an expanded facility that will help drive our regional economy, generate jobs and build on our reputation as a world-class convention and meeting destination," said San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders in a statement. "The Convention Center continues to be one of San Diego's strongest assets driving jobs, tax revenues and economic benefits, all of which will significantly increase when the building expands, and Fentress' design will take us there."

The 3.5-million-square-foot facility will have green features including gray-water processing and photovoltaic cells. The project seeks to earn a "LEED Gold" rating from the U.S. Green Building Council. It sounds great but the question of financing is a perennial problem. it's not clear yet how it will be paid for, although the new design is cheaper than earlier plans. The expansion plans will undergo an an environmental review and if approved construction could begin in 2013.

Tags: san diego, san diego convention center

Porto Vista Hotel Auctioned Off For New Year's Eve

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Auctions

Want to spend New Year's Eve in San Diego, California? You can celebrate in a big way at the Porto Vista Hotel in the Little Italy area. One night at the hotel is being auctioned off on eBay. The winner of the auction will have control of the entire hotel from noon on December 31, 2010 through noon on January 1, 2011.

The auction includes not just the hotel's 189 rooms and VIP suites but also the services of the Glass Door Restaurant with personal chef and customized menu for a meal for up to 50 VIP guests as well as a party on the Ripassi rooftop deck for 300 guests with a DJ, personalized menu, open bar and private luxury cabanas. The entire hotel staff will be at your disposal.

The "owner for a day" will also have his or her name displayed along the side of the hotel, receive customized business cards and employee uniforms will feature the owner's name. The package also comes with a personalized Web site landing page for guest reservations for New Year's Eve. The bidding ends November 26. Last time I looked there were no bids but the auction does have a Buy-It-Now price of $160,000.

[via USA Today]

Tags: ebay, porto vista hotel, san diego, san diego hotel

Large San Diego Condo Project Sold, Goes Rental

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Real Estate Developments

Downtown San Diego's massive 769-unit Vantage Pointe condo complex has been sold to Chicago-based Equity Residential for $200 million, keeping the failed condo development as a rental building. The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the sale lets Canadian developer Pointe of View exit the troubled development which failed to find enough buyers to stay afloat. In March, Pointe of View defaulted on its original $210 million construction loan. Although at one point there had been as many as 100 buyers for units in the 40-story tower, 60 buyers had canceled over the last few months and the remaining buyers will have their deposits returned. The project appears to have been the victim of bad timing, hitting the market in the middle of a condo glut.

To generate income for the project, Pointe of View began renting units and buy the time it was sold Vantage Pointe, a little more than 20 percent of the building had been rented out. Rents for one- and two-bedroom apartments range from $1,600 to $3,400.

The transition of stalled condo projects back into rental units is one that seems to be happening across the country. It's the reverse of the condo craze that happened when real estate was reaching stratospheric heights and apartment buildings were going condo.

Tags: condo development, san diego, san diego real estate, vantage pointe

Russian Billionaire's Philippe Starck - Designed Superyacht Startles San Diego

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Yachts & Sailing, Wealth, Architecture & Design

It caused quite a kerfuffle when 38-year-old Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko's megayacht A (above), designed by Philippe Starck, weighed anchor off San Diego the other day while its owner drove off to check out Hearst Castle. The 390-ft. craft which resembles a sci-fi submarine cost over $300 million to build to the quirky designer's specs at Blohm + Voss, where Roman Abramovich's Eclipse was also constructed. With a crew of 35 (all outfitted in Starck-designed uniforms) to run it, the A's twin diesel's kick down 24,000 hp for a maximum speed of 24 knots, impressive for a ship this size. The interior features $40,000 bath faucets and $60,000 stair banisters.

The all-white, 2,583-sq.-ft. master suite wrapped in bulletproof, 44-milimeter glass is accessed by a silver-plated staircase with a fingerprint scanner at the door. Elsewhere Starck scattered Baccarat crystal tables, alligator skin and Kudu horn chairs, stingray skin upholstered walls and hand-stitched leather paneling. Some of the companies involved in constructing the unique sea beast went bankrupt due to the difficulties in executing Starck's design dictums. Filling the A's gas tanks alone costs $500,000 a pop and running costs come to about $20 million a year. Check out a video of the eye-popping yacht after the jump:

Tags: alligator, Andrey Melnichenko, Baccarat, Blohm + Voss, bulletproof, design, leather, megayacht, Philippe Starck, Roman Abramovich, Russian billionaire, San Diego, silver, stingray, superyacht, yacht

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World War II Divebomber Lifted From The Depths

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings

Finding new exhibits for the National Naval Aviation Museum in Florida isn't like sourcing objects for other museums. Sometimes you have to dig deep, about 90 feet in the case of a recent find. The AP's Chris Carlson reports that a rare World War II dive bomber was hoisted from the deep this week. The SB2C Helidiver was lifted from the bottom of a San Diego reservoir and brought to land for the first time since it met its watery grave 65 years ago. It crashed in 1945 and the two men in the aircraft survived and swam to shore.

It has been spotted last year in the Lower Otay Reservoir by a couple of men using a fishfinder. Divers from Chicago-based A&T Recovery, experts in pulling planes from the depths of Lake Michigan, were on the scene and spent several days cleaning the aircraft of heavy mud and silt before it was hauled up. The plane will be dried out, taken apart and sent to the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida. The recovery was paid for by the donation of a former volunteer at the aviation museum who left money to cover the cost of haul.

Tags: national naval aviation museum, San Diego, sb2c helidiver, World War II history, World War II plane

Coronado Cottage, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Today's home takes us to Coronado, California site of the next auction from Concierge Auctions. Coronado, also known as Coronado island, is located on a peninsula connected to the mainland in San Diego. It is home to the Hotel del Coronado, restaurants, and a quiet and picturesque community. Concierge Auctions will conduct a live, on-site luxury real estate auction of 755 F Avenue, a home and guest home in the affluent community of Coronado Village on August 12. The home was originally listed for $2,899,000 but this auction is absolute, meaning the property will sell to the highest bidder regardless of price. The sale is in cooperation with Ashlee Nicolls of Park Life Real Estate.

The completely remodeled 2,700-square-foot family home has three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a kitchen with a long granite bar and adjoining dining room. The great room has a red brick and dark wood fireplace. Other details include a staircase of wrought-iron railings and red brick and hardwood stairs and charming spaces filled with abundant natural light. The porch overlooks the home's landscaped yard and white walking stones lead to the detached guest home, a 900 square foot studio with a full bath and kitchenette. A custom built-in outdoor oven and stove completes the outdoor space.

The auction of 755 F Avenue will be held live, on-site on Thursday, August 12 at 2 p.m. Attendance will be limited to registered bidders and their representatives. A buyer's broker commission of 2.5% is offered on the high bid. The property is available for preview daily from 1 to 4 p.m. and by appointment. For more information visit www.CoronadoLuxuryAuction.com or call 866-605-7286.

Gallery: Coronado Cottage

Tags: california real estate, concierge auctions, coronado, real estate auction, real estate auctions, san diego

Continue reading “Coronado Cottage, Estate of the Day”

Targa Trophy Supercar Rally Kicks Off This Summer

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Events

The Targa Trophy triple-crown series of open road rallies featuring some of the most exotic cars in the world will kick off later this month with high-octane events slated for Southern California, Northern California and Arizona. The series pits drivers against the clock in an effort to drive pre-selected routes through some of the most technical driving roads and scenic byways in the western United States. The first leg – the So Cal Challenge - runs from Hollywood to San Diego, the second event – the Bay Area Rally Fest - takes participants through Silicon Valley and West San Francisco, and the Desert Finale runs through the Arizona desert to Scottsdale. Each two-day event will start with an exclusive private party at the host city's W Hotel.

As the participants make their way to the finish there will be a series of checkpoints and movie screenings culminating in the finale dinner and awards ceremony. HRE Performance Wheels, which designs, engineers and manufactures forged alloy wheels for the world's finest cars in their San Diego facility, has signed on "Official Wheel" of this year's competition. HRE will craft a unique forged aluminum trophy for the rally winner and provide prizes to other top placing drivers as well. The grand prize for the "Triple Crown" winner will be a custom-made set of forged HRE wheels made for the winning vehicle. The So Cal Challenge kicks of on June 25; the deadline to sign up is June 22.

Tags: Arizona, California, Hollywood, rally, San Diego, San Francisco, Scottsdale, Southern California, supercars, Targa Trophy, W Hotel

Saks Fifth Avenue Closing Two Stores In July

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Luxury department store Saks Fifth Avenue has announced another store closing. In March, the brand announced the July 10th closing of its Portland, Oregon store. It will also be closing the Saks Fifth Avenue store located in the Fashion Valley Mall in San Diego, California by July 17, 2010. In a press release, Steve Sadove, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Saks said that the closing is "consistent with our strategy of focusing our resources on our most productive stores."

Around 70 employees are employed in the San Diego store and will be offered transfer opportunities or will receive appropriate severance packages. Despite the closings Sadove remains bullish on luxury. I had the chance to hear Sadove participate in a panel discussion at the American Express Publishing Luxury Summit recently and it was clear that he is certain that luxury is regaining its footing and that the days of deep discounting and slowly moving merchandise are coming to a close, just not fast enough it seems to save these two stores.

Tags: portland, saks, Saks Fifth Avenue, saks-fifth-avenue, SaksFifthAve, san diego, steve sadove

Former Baseball Player To Sell Off Failed Restaurant

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Sports, Celebrity Design

Many sports figures tend to get into the restaurant business. For some this can be a great investment but it doesn't always have a happy ending. Baseball player Steve Finley has filed bankruptcy on behalf of BRG Restaurant Group, the company that owned his upscale, San Diego area Flight Restaurant. The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that last year, Finley ran into trouble, handing out paychecks that bounced. Finley has said he still wants to pay his former employees but that the business ran out of money because of the economy and management problems which left him as the restaurant manager at one point.

In January, Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation papers were filed but this week Finley canceled the bankruptcy because he is close to a deal to have someone else take over the restaurant and pay back wages. Finley is a World Series champion and five-time Gold Glove Award winner who opened the restaurant with a team of investors. It overlooks the polo fields at El Camino Real and Via de la Valle in Del Mar. The restaurant served pricey Italian fare but also had a bar with a nightclub atmosphere. It once featured dancing girls dressed as angels, a nod to one of Finley's former teams (he played a brief season for the Angels in 2005).

UPDATE: A picture of Chuck Finley was mistakenly used in an earlier version of this story, we regret the error.

Gallery: Celebrity Restaurants

Tags: del mar, DelMar, restaurants, san diego, SanDiego, steve finley, SteveFinley

It's a Gossip Finale for W Hotels' Wonderlust series

by Ariston Anderson (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

From Peter, Bjorn and John to Pete Yorn, W Hotels have presented themselves as the premier rock curator this year, with a series of events throughout their nationwide hotels. It's been an amazing year for rock fans to get up close and personal with some of today's hottest acts in intimate W Hotel settings. And if it's not enough to be within arms reach of your favorite acts sipping signature W cocktails, each show is photographed by legendary music photographer Mick Rock. They're ending the year with a bang with an amazing live performance from the Gossip at the W San Diego. Music for Men is one of our favorite albums of the year, and we're insanely jealous of anyone who gets to see this sure-to-be unforgettable show.

While access to the show is strictly limited to VIP invites, you can be one of those guests with an All Access Package starting at $229, which includes a Fabulous Room, two tickets to the show, a meet and greet with Gossip, an exclusive Wonderlust giftbag, and a late checkout 3PM checkout (you're gonna need it!). Upgrade to a mere $299 for a Cool Corner suite. This is a once-in-a-lifetime rock-and-roll opportunity that is sure to sell out quickly.

Head to the W Website for more information on this killer package.

Friday, December 11, 2009
8 PM
W San Diego
421 West B Street
San Diego, CA

Tags: hotel deals, HotelDeals, music performances, MusicPerformances, san diego, SanDiego, the gossip, TheGossip, w hotel, WHotel

Loews' Voga Voyage Combines a Slice of Venice and a Slice of Heaven

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas

For the rates Venetian gondoliers charge you might expect a massage and a 3-course meal during your cruise of the canals. With the introduction of the Voga Voyage at Loews Coronado Bay Resort Gondola Company, you can at least check the massage off the list.

Your vessel for the journey among the Coronado Cays will be a softly wrapped, sun-warmed massage table. In turn, that table will ride upon an authentic 33-foot gondola that launches from the resort's private marina and then embarks on an hour-long cruise of Mediterranean-like waterways. Forty minutes of that will be occupied by masseurs tending to your physical needs, which includes the laying on of sunscreen before the more serious application of massaging hands. The last ten minutes of the trip will be given to sight-seeing, if you're in any mood for that, while you and your chère company feast on the gondola's supply of champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries.

Booking the $499 Voga Voyage also gets you a free night at the resort and its amenities, spread out on a secluded, 15-acre peninsula. And having saved on airfare to the Italian province, you just might have enough left over for the 3-course meal. It's certainly not what Iago meant when he mentioned "creating the beast with two backs," but this ride has a far less drama and a much happier ending...

Gallery: Loews Coronado Voga Voyage

Source

Tags: california, coronado, false, gondola, hotel, journey, loews, loews coronado bay resort, loews corp, loews hotels, LoewsCoronadoBayResort, LoewsCorp, LoewsHotels, resort, san diego, SanDiego, spa, venice, venice italy, VeniceItaly, voga voyage, VogaVoyage

San Diego Hotel Offers Cheap Rooms, Bed Not Included

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

For $219 you can enjoy a beautiful room at the Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego, taking advantage of the hotel's three pools, spa, golf course and luxury amenities including breakfast for two. But for the cash poor or adventurous the hotel has come out with the Survivor package. Your rate goes down depending on what you are willing to give up. Forgo breakfast and you are down to $199, give up the honor bar--$179 and so on, all the way down to $19 providing you are willing to go without lights, air conditioning, a bed and all the other niceties of a hotel stay. The package is available from August 16 to 31.

[via Mercury News]

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Tags: hotel, hotel package, HotelPackage, rancho bernardo inn, RanchoBernardoInn, san diego, SanDiego

Buy This House And Get The Bentley Too

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Luxury Cars & Autos

Yet another fancy home for sale is throwing in a luxury car to sweeten the deal. The owner of a four-bedroom home in the San Diego area town of Cardiff is including his 2007 Bentley convertible with fewer than 15,000 miles on it with the home. He was asking more than $2 million for the home but now the price is $1.799 million. But wait, there's more, act now and they'll throw in all staged furniture, too. The contemporary home has ocean views and an open floor plan. The listing is here.

[via San Diego 6]

Gallery: Buy This House Get A Bentley

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Tags: bentley, cardiff, real estate, RealEstate, san diego, SanDiego

W San Diego Hotel To Be Returned To Lenders

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Another W Hotel is in trouble. We've heard of troubles facing the W in Phoenix but now the W San Diego has a battle of its own ahead. Yesterday Sunstone Hotel Investors Inc. announced that will default on the June mortgage payment for the property. The real estate investment trust cited the travel downturn as well as the opening of other luxury hotels in the area as a reason for being unable to make the payments. Sunstone had sought lower interest rates and made the decision that, like many people in the U.S., it was underwater in its mortgage. So the investors are doing the corporate version of jingle mail and returning it to the lenders. The company says that the property which it purchased for $96 million in 2006 is worth less now. Right now the hotel has a $65 million, fixed-rate commercial mortgage-backed securities loan with a 6.14 percent interest rate due at the start of the year in 2018. This works out to more than $250,000 in debt per room.

A statement from the company says that it ""maintains more than adequate liquidity to support or repay this mortgage" but believes that turning it over to the lenders is in the best interests of stockholders. Sunstone Hotel has said that it may make the same move with selected other mortgaged hotels in its portfolios. It also owns properties under the Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt and Fairmont brands. The W San Diego remains open.

Source

Tags: foreclosure, san diego, SanDiego, sunstone hotel, SunstoneHotel, w hotel, WHotel

Fifth Avenue Landing: San Diego's New Home For Megayachts

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing

San Diego is hoping that when you dock on the West Coast you'll want to pull your yacht into Fifth Avenue Landing. The 12-slip facility welcomes yachts between 65 and 300 feet. It is located near the San Diego Convention Center and offers concierge service, wireless internet connection, parking and controlled access. The marina is part of San Diego's bid to become the boating capital of the West. There are several other marinas in the area including Kona Kai Marina and Shelter Island Marina. The San Diego Superyacht Association was formed in 2008 to bring together the city's leading marine businesses and cater to the megayacht market. The 225 ft Feadship megayacht Attessa already spent several weeks at the facility this year.

[via SYNFO]

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Tags: fifth avenue landing, FifthAvenueLanding, marina, megayacht, san diego, SanDiego