Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant Restoration

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The Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant (formerly the Casa de Bandini) is one of San Diego’s most important and unique historic resources. Originally constructed as a one-story adobe residence for Don Juan Bandini in the late 1820’s, it was renovated in 1869 to add a wood framed second story. The building had suffered from differed maintenance and extensive remodeling, diminishing its historical integrity and functionality. By 2005, non-historic stucco had covered over the second floor wood clapboards and other “Mexican-style” alterations had severely altered the historic appearance of the building. The roof, railings, interiors, and colors were also modified. The restoration reversed all of these changes and also included seismic retrofitting, adobe repair, full disabled accessibility, a new detached kitchen, fire sprinklers, new HVAC, new outdoor bar and restroom structure, and recreation of many missing historic features like the rooftop sign. Delaware North Companies Parks and Resorts paid for the meticulous restoration and rehabilitation along with grant funding acquired by California State Parks. The restoration followed The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties in order to maintain the historical, cultural, and architectural value of the building. When construction was completed the “Cosmo” faithfully represented the interpretive period of Old Town State Historic Park from 1821-1872. Add'l info: http://www.oldtowncosmopolitan.com
Project Information
Project Address: 
2660 Calhoun Street, San Diego, CA 92110
Project Owner/ Developer: 
Delaware North Companies Parks and Resorts
Owner Contact Name/ Email: 
Mike Gilbert MGilbert@dncinc.com
Project Architect/ Designer: 
Heritage Architecture & Planning
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Comments:

They DE-MEXICANIZED Old Town

Submitted by AJMENDI on Fri, 10/29/2010 - 17:22.
OLD TOWN is still reeling from the "De-Mexican-ization" that was perpetrated on it by the "Anti-Diane Powers that be"! I am all for historic preservation but they took something that worked well, purposely toned down the "Mexican" aspects and turned the clock back to 1872 when it was more "Anglo". Sorry, but if we wanted Tombstone, Arizona, we would go there. Giant Birds of Paradise may not be "historically accurate" but ripping them out was a big mistake. Getting rid of a festive, beautiful park and very successful concession was a big mistake. Reminds me of an editorial cartoon that ran in the U-T showing a patron trying to order a Cadillac Margarita, and the waitress saying, "Sorry, that's not historically accurate, but we do have a nice glass of warm goat milk!" If the people could have had Giant Birds of Paradise and Giant Margaritas in 1872, I guarantee they would have!

They Demexinized Old Town

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 11/10/2010 - 05:42.
Wow, You are so right! What were they thinking? Oh I know, a few more bucks and a big decrease in the quality in life in San Diego! I am so sick of the crass commercialization of Americans, and the firing of Union workers, it makes me sick

Building Highlights

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 09/01/2010 - 03:15.
It is important to note that all but one each of the doors and windows on the property were saved and are the originals from the 1869 renovation of the structure by Albert Seeley. In addition, the adobe walls on the ground floor are the original ones constructed by Juan Bandini in 1827, uncovered under several inches of wood siding, stucco, more wood siding and stucco. The original four-foot-thick adobe walls can be seen inside the building as can an uncovered staircase and two fireplaces. All furnishings inside were authenticated to be no older than 1890. Paint colors were painstakingly researched and replicated, as well as wall papers and window coverings. Recognized as San Diego's oldest standing hotel, this building can now forever be treasured by future generations.

Casa Bandini Has been brought back to it's Ugliest History

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 10/08/2010 - 02:15.
All the beautiful landscaping was ripped out, the fountains ripped out, the employees of 30 years service fired, and this is a Good Thing? As a native San Diegan all I can say is It's a hideous eyesore! Did they put the Outhouses and chamberpots back too? Well that's not very authentic, is it. People used to wait 2 hours to be seated at Casa Bandini, because people Loved it. I ate there Hundreds of times over 25 plus years, now it's a Cheezey overpriced B&B for a few rich Republicans and a Ugly overpriced restaurant that Will FAIL within a few years. I have 100's of friends, They all Hate it! The city council thought they could rake in more money by taking it away from Diane Powers, but they destroyed a favorite SD LANDMARK instead, with 7 MILLION dollars of My tax money. If this Hideous Travesty isn't an Onion then you need to break up Orchids and Onions as you will have lost All Credibility. Every time I love at that Mess it makes me literaly Sick so I have stopped going to Old Town,and so have 60% San Diegan that kept it healthy. Wake up and Smell the Coffee People.

could not agree more

Submitted by AJMENDI on Fri, 10/29/2010 - 17:16.
OLD TOWN is still reeling from the "De-Mexican-ization" that was perpetrated on it by the "Anti-Diane Powers that be"! I am all for historic preservation but they took something that worked well, purposely toned down the "Mexican" and turned the clock back to 1872 when it was more "Anglo". Sorry, but if we wanted Tombstone, Arizona. We would go there. Giant Birds of Paradise may not be "historically accurate" but ripping them out was a big mistake. Getting rid of a festive, beautiful park was a big mistake.

Building Owner

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 09/01/2010 - 03:07.
The building is no longer owned or operated by Delaware North. Delaware North began the restoration but then assigned its contract with the state of California to Old Town Family Hospitality Corp., which oversaw the completion of the restoration project, including furnishing the structure, in conjunction with Save Our Heritage Organisation. To clarify, the structure is owned by California State Parks and the contract to operate the hotel and restaurant lies with Old Town Family Hospitality Corp., contact Chuck Ross, President, at chuck@fiestadereyes.com.