San Diego firm Heritage Architecture & Planning was hired
by e Del's owner, BRE Hotels & Resorts, to reconstruct
the original size and shape of the historic veranda along with
its 1888 detailing. e design team included WATG and
Wimberly Interiors. Swinerton Builders was the contractor.
Construction began in April 2020, one month after the first
COVID-19 shutdown, adding to the project's challenges.
e reconstructed veranda includes replicated mahogany
spindle handrails, and the "Ladies Stair" has been recreated.
In 1888, the Ladies Stair was used by unmarried women to
enter the building. e stair led to the Ladies Billiard Room.
Married women accompanied by their husbands were entitled
to use the main stairs.
Since providing disabled access is a key component for any
restoration project, a new wheelchair ramp was added between
the two historic stairs and was configured in a zig-zag shape to
create space for landscaping.
One of the architect's biggest challenges was trying to
accurately recreate the historic railings that were too short and
had openings too large to meet code. Rather than changing
the railing's historic appearance, frameless glass railings
Historic exterior view of the Hotel del
Coronado's front entry and veranda
when the hotel opened in 1888
View of the restored
lobby with a
reproduction crystal
chandelier and
the refinished 1888
white oak interiors
The restored front entry and veranda
showing the Ladies Stair and
disabled access ramp
ALL
OTHER
PHOTOS
COURTESY
OF
HOTEL
DEL
CORONADO
>>
RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE MAY 2022 79
