Lafayette Hotel: The Rebirth of an Iconic San Diego Landmark
It all begins with an idea.
Photo suggestion: Wide exterior shot of Lafayette Hotel, lit at night
Some projects stick with you. Not just because of how they looked when the dust settled, but because of the people involved, the challenges you worked through, and the way it all came together in the end.
For us, the remodel of the Lafayette Hotel in North Park, San Diego will always be one of those projects.
When a Legend Needed New Life
Photo suggestion: Before photo of dated lobby or bar area
The Lafayette is one of those places in San Diego that carries a story. In its prime, it was a favorite stop for Hollywood stars. Over the years, though, a series of owners and neglected upkeep and revitalization had made it feel tired and outdated.
The vision behind this remodel was ambitious: to bring the Lafayette back to life and give it a fresh identity for today. That meant not only reimagining the design, but also figuring out how to make something new inside a building with nearly a century of history layered into it while still respecting its historu.
Building Spaces Transport You To Another Place and Time
Photo suggestion: Collage of in-progress craftsmanship — carpenters working, material details, shop fabrication shots
Over the course of a year, we partnered with CLTVT, CH Projects, Taylor League, Post and dozens of tradespeople to transform four main hospitality spaces. Our team’s millwork and craftsmanship touched nearly every corner. Each space had its own personality and its own challenges
Quixote – A mezcal-focused bar designed to feel like a small Mexican church, complete with stained glass, altar, and rooms balancing light and dark.
The Gutter – An adult art deco gameroom inspired by Henry Frick’s secret 1914 bowling alley, complete with arcade games, pool tables, and two bowling lanes.
The Atlas Bar – A dramatic circular bar at the heart of the lobby, crowned by an atlas statue beneath a glass ceiling.
The Lobby – The guest’s first impression: bold seating, a coffee bar/check-in counter, a French-inspired gift shop, and even a DJ booth with a playlist created by Swizz Beatz.
Our team’s scope stretched from the high-gloss walnut bars to the custom wall panels throughout the gameroom and the intricate details throughout the lobby. We touched nearly every element of these spaces, problem-solving alongside our partners to bring the design to life.
What It Took
Photo suggestion: Hero shots of each finished space (one per section), with detail close-ups
This wasn’t an easy project. The historic nature of the building, the signature complexity of CH Projects’ designs, and the tight timeline forced all of us to work closely and stay aligned. By looking at the project holistically we were able to catch problems early and find cost effective and timely solutions to keep the project on track.
But that’s also what made it rewarding. Construction doesn’t always have the reputation for collaboration — but here, the process itself became proof that when teams choose to work with each other instead of against, big things can happen.
The People Who Make It Happen
Projects like this are only possible because of the people behind them. A few we want to call out:
CLTVT: keeping teams moving and trades aligned. They were an active part in the non-stop problem solving but never pointed fingers. They were focused on the best possible result for everyone.
Taylor League: her vision, her design, and the way she trusted and worked with our team throughout. We spent countless hours sketching ideas and possible solutions together. Always willing to work together.
Our crew: showing up with grit, professionalism, and great attitudes day after day. We are only able to build great things because we have a team of talented indivuals that bring what is seemingly impossible to life.
We’re proud of what we built here — but we’re even prouder of the team it took to make it happen.
We’re Proud To Share With You
Photo suggestion: Final wide lobby shot, guests enjoying the space
The Lafayette Hotel stands today as proof of what’s possible when design, craftsmanship, and collaboration come together.
If you haven’t visited yet, we invite you to experience it yourself — grab a drink at Quixote, bowl a round at The Gutter, or simply sit in the lobby and feel the atmosphere.
See more details and photos in the portfolio
