Historical - Demo Rational The proposed hotel will require a demolition of all the existing structures. It has been determined that the current structures cannot facilitate the project goals for the redevelopment of the property. The old buildings are not conducive to the intended use as a hotel. The layout and accessibility of the rooms in the older buildings present unique challenges from an operational standpoint. The entrance needs to be on Beach Street, the pool deck needs to be larger and a more prominent amenity, and the previously approved parking arrangement was functionally challenging, if not impossible. All of these elements taken together have factored in to the current proposal whereby the project application requests a permit to demolish all of the existing building.

The following is an overview of the existing conditions and the reason demolition, instead of rehabilitation, is a reality:

1. Not compliant with the current building code
2. Does not meet ADA Compliance
3. Current infrastructure inadequate
4. Water penetration & damage
5. Structural framing deterioration
6. Need to replace the roof (waterproofing issues)
7. Need to remove “Historical Fabric” to bring up to Code. Structural upgrades will require significant demolition of the existing historic fabric (i.e., stucco, windows, roofing, lighting) even with exceptions provided under the Historical Building Code.
8. Original architectural details damaged or missing
9. Window types have already been modified
10. Current massing along Beach Street contradicts the Beach and South of Laurel Plan
11. Cannot operate as a Hotel properly
    
    
    • Unit floor plans need some consistency
    • Impacts Housekeeping and “Back of House” issues
    • Impacts Economic issues

While the Historical community would sustain a loss, coordinated efforts have been made with the Historical Planning Commission’s La Bahia Subcommittee to incorporate their suggestions to design a project that would echo the past. The following is a list of character defining elements that the proposed project design captures from the existing La Bahia:

1. Save and reuse the Bell Tower
2. Reuse the existing natural springs and emulate the Courtyard of the Laurels and the Mariners
3. Reuse Urns & Brackets
4. Reuse Roof Tiles
5. Reuse Ceramic Tiles
6. Echo the past with design
   
   
   • Spanish Colonial Revival design
   • Building Articulation & Massing
   • Courtyards
   • Details Throughout
   • Stucco Textures
   • Entries must retain similar features
   • Heavily landscape the terraces following historic design
   
   
7. HABS level photo documentation
   
   
   • Historical Exhibit in the hotel
   • Donate Photographs to a local Museum and/or Archive
   
   
8. Creating a new potential "Historical Landmark"