The renovation of the Victorian building at the Hotel del Coronado in Coronado, Calif., upgraded, restored and expanded the existing 137-year-old structure. The number of rooms was increased to 404 from 367, while meeting spaces, ballrooms and other guest spaces were updated. The exterior facade, mechanical, electrical and plumbing were also among the many improvements made to the building.

Due to the structure’s historic nature, a specialized safety plan was implemented. Staff received training specifically geared toward working with this type of building. As the original Victorian was constructed mostly using wood, fire safety was particularly important. With this in mind, the team instituted a 24-hour third-party fire watch. Dust control and vibration monitoring were used to protect more delicate finishes.

Photo courtesy of Brian Doll

“Restoring such an iconic landmark, which was originally built in 1888, required a unique blend of technical expertise and deep respect for its history,” said Mike Berryhill, vice president and division manager at Swinerton, the project’s general contractor. “The Victorian building predates modern HVAC systems, reliable electricity and even private restrooms, and decades of advancements and past renovations had left each of the 404 rooms truly one of a kind, many with compromised structural integrity.”

The project was completed ahead of schedule in May 2025.

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