(Mark Your Calendars: RealShare HOTELS 2011, September 15 in New York City).
SAN DIEGO-Viejas Casino tribal leaders and casino executives unveiled plans to build a new 150-room hotel adjacent to the existing casino in Alpine. The company tells GlobeSt.com that the estimated cost will be $36 million.
“A project like this takes on added significance in a challenging economic environment, where every new job means so much to local families and the local economy,” says Scott Alevy, CEO of San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce. “Beyond the local construction jobs, this new hotel will have a positive impact on local businesses that provide goods and services to Viejas Casino, the retail center and now the hotel. This is great news for our entire region.”
The Viejas Casino hotel project is expected to create more than 400 construction jobs and additional local jobs for ongoing operations once the hotel is built.
Viejas unveiled conceptual design renderings recently, but tell GlobeSt.com that that are “very early conceptual renderings,” and note that Swinterton Builders, the design-build constrators, will have many more concepts for them to consider. “The exact height and footprint of the hotel are yet to be determined,” says the Viejas Casino press representative.
The new hotel will include a pool, fitness room, business center and other amenities. It will be located on the east side of the casino building, where the Bingo Pavilion is now located. Bingo will be moved to another area of the casino. The project also includes an expansion to the seating area of the Harvest Buffet. Groundbreaking is scheduled for the 1st quarter of 2012, with a grand opening scheduled for the 1st quarter of 2013.
Swinerton has been selected as general contractor for the project. The company’s local projects have included construction of the Marriott Del Mar and Omni Hotel in downtown San Diego, as well as historical renovations at Hotel Del Coronado and the US Grant in San Diego.
Joe Terzi, president and CEO of the San Diego Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, says in a prepared statement that “This hotel will be a great addition, not only for Viejas Casino guests but visitors to East County and all of San Diego County, from the coast to the mountains. And the hotel’s location, right along I-8, is especially convenient for visitors coming from Arizona and points east. This will be a wonderful addition to the local tourism offerings.”
Viejas Tribal chairman Anthony Pico says that “Viejas has a long, proud tradition of hospitality and welcoming visitors. Our ancestors were the first to welcome Juan Cabrillo to the shores of Southern California in the 1500’s. We created one of the area’s first RV parks for campers and travelers and, of course, Viejas Casino and Outlet Center. So we are very proud to be adding this beautiful new hotel and once again welcoming visitors to this area of Southern California.”
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Natalie Dolce
Natalie Dolce, editor-in-chief of GlobeSt.com, is responsible for working with editorial staff, freelancers and senior management to help plan the overarching vision that encompasses GlobeSt.com, including short-term and long-term goals for the website, how content integrates through the company’s other product lines and the overall quality of content. Previously she served as national executive editor and editor of the West Coast region for GlobeSt.com and Real Estate Forum, and was responsible for coverage of news and information pertaining to that vital real estate region. Prior to moving out to the Southern California office, she was Northeast bureau chief, covering New York City for GlobeSt.com. Her background includes a stint at InStyle Magazine, and as managing editor with New York Press, an alternative weekly New York City paper. In her career, she has also covered a variety of beats for M magazine, Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel, FashionLedge.com, and Co-Ed magazine. Dolce has also freelanced for a number of publications, including MSNBC.com and Museums New York magazine.
