News Summary
The vacant Tower 180 in downtown San Diego is poised for a $250 million transformation into a dual-branded Hyatt hotel complex. Developed by J Street Space, the project will feature 560 rooms, including a Hyatt Place and Hyatt House, alongside amenities such as a rooftop bar and extensive meeting spaces. This marks a significant shift in development trends as office spaces are repurposed for hospitality in response to high vacancy rates. Construction is set to begin in early 2026, aiming to diversify hotel accommodations in the area.
San Diego – A vacant office high-rise in downtown San Diego, known as Tower 180, is set to be transformed into a dual-branded Hyatt hotel complex featuring 560 rooms. The conversion project, spearheaded by the San Diego-based developer J Street Space, is estimated to cost $250 million and is anticipated to be the first office-to-hotel transformation in California in recent years.
The newly designed complex will include a 371-room Hyatt Place and a 189-room Hyatt House hotel, which will be integrated within the tower and an adjacent eight-story annex. J Street initially considered a mixed-use plan combining residential and hotel spaces estimated at $140 million. However, the developer opted for a hotel-only approach, prompted by a strong demand in San Diego’s hospitality market.
J Street acquired Tower 180 in late 2023 for $61 million, following a significant renovation of the property in 2020. The CEO of J Street highlighted Tower 180’s distinct advantages, including its updated infrastructure, full vacancy, and prime location within a mixed-use development.
Amenities and Design Features
The hotel complex will boast an upscale rooftop bar and lounge named the Lurline Cocktail Club, promising 360-degree views of San Diego’s skyline, bay, and ocean. Guests will also enjoy a ground-floor lobby lounge and market, a breakfast bar featuring a second-floor lounge, and over 12,000 square feet of meeting space located on the ninth and tenth floors.
Current ground-floor retail tenants, such as Mendocino Farms, Blue Bottle Coffee, and Anytime Fitness, are expected to remain operational following the conversion.
Project Execution and Timeline
The architectural design will be executed by Delawie, while the interior design will be managed by MONOGRAM at BBGM. The renovation designs will incorporate elements reflecting San Diego’s urban aesthetic, including distinct color schemes and textures aligned with local architecture. Construction is projected to commence in early 2026, with the project’s completion anticipated in the first half of 2028.
Strategic Shift in Development Trends
This conversion of Tower 180 signifies a broader shift in developer strategies, as more companies look toward transforming office buildings into hotels due to high vacancy rates prevalent in downtown urban areas. Hotel real estate broker Alan Reay has noted that such conversions are rare, often due to financial constraints and the challenges associated with existing physical layouts.
In addition to Tower 180, J Street Space has a track record of successfully undertaking notable hospitality projects in the San Diego area, including The Courtyard Gaslamp and Hotel Z, further establishing their commitment to enhancing the local hospitality landscape.
Originally constructed in 1963 as the United States National Bank Building, Tower 180 also saw an annex added in 1973. This upcoming conversion to a dual-branded Hyatt hotel aims to diversify accommodations in downtown San Diego, catering to both business and leisure travelers, and providing premium extended stay options.
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Author: STAFF HERE CORONADO
The Coronado Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HERECoronado.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Coronado, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Coronado Island Film Festival, productions at Lamb’s Players Theatre, community workshops at John D. Spreckels Center, and iconic celebrations at Hotel del Coronado. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Coronado Chamber of Commerce and Visit Coronado, plus leading businesses in hospitality, dining, and tourism that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERESanDiego.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
