Former Sheraton Suites site getting a major makeover

Dave Fidlin | Downtown News

With a well-known concert venue just hundreds of feet away, the new management behind one of Downtown San Diego’s larger hotel developments is about to take the wraps off a new concept aimed at appealing to both residents and visitors alike.

Swapping out the nameplate of the 264-room Sheraton Suites hotel, located at 701 A St., to the independent Declan Suites took place in October. However, Westbrook Partners, a New York-based investment firm, recently announced plans to undergo a remodeling project that will result in a revamp of the property’s lobby, fitness facility, bar and restaurant.

The specific cost of the refurbishments has not been disclosed, although a news release announcing the changes described the impending work as a “multi-million dollar transformation.”

General Manager Alex Dallocchio said three concepts — music, art and technology — are guiding the changes, which are expected to begin in mid-March and continue through late June. He described the inspiration behind the design as avant-garde.

The 27-story complex, containing 11 stories of parking and 16 stories of actual hotel space, is adjacent to the Copley Symphony Hall.

“The connection to the Symphony will be a part of our new look,” Dallocchio said. “But we’re going to be incorporating all different genres of music with the new design.”

In addition to incorporating musical-themed accents throughout the hotel, Dallocchio said space in many of the common areas within the new Declan Suites will be repurposed with a more contemporary feel. He described the current look within the hotel’s confines as “traditional.”

Dallocchio said a shift to a more contemporary feel means that technology will also take center stage in the redesign. A focal point of that technology include plans for a wall in the lobby to be lined with flat screen televisions and that broadcast images from across San Diego throughout the day. Some of the images will be shown live, with others on delay.

Declan’s bar and restaurant — the most likely draw for locals — will also undergo significant changes. The bar will be split into two areas, with one section devoted to die-hard sports enthusiasts and another, described by Dallocchio as a quiet area, cordoned off for people interested in pulling out their laptops and getting work done.

“There will be more of an open feel and more space in the restaurant as well,” Dallocchio said. “We’re planning to integrate it with the bar to some extent.”

Plans also call for expanding the hotel’s fitness center by doubling its current size — a nod Dallocchio attributes to the high priority hotel guests place on such amenities. With health and wellness in mind, Declan guests will also be privy to a bike-sharing program that is in the works for greater San Diego.

While running an independent hotel has its challenges, Dallocchio said dropping an instantly recognizable corporate name for one that is unknown gives management considerable freedom.

“We have a lot more creativity when we’re not tied to a specific company name,” Dallocchio said. “We felt that there was a special need for another independent hotel in San Diego. We wanted to create a unique spot in the city. We feel that we will be able to cater to a lot of different clientele.”

Dallocchio said there are currently no plans to remodel any of the existing 264 suites. Under the Sheraton banner, the hotel offered two-room suites — each at 460 square feet — and that iteration will continue under the Declan nameplate.

“We’ve been doing some small upgrades to the suites,” Dallocchio said, pointing out new bedding has been installed. “We might be making some changes [to the suites] in the following year.”

While the name “Declan” itself does not have a specific meaning, Dallocchio said it is meant to symbolize the individualistic characteristics behind the revamp. He said the revamped bar and restaurant will likely also have new names with a certain San Diego touch mixed in.

Declan’s management are working with a Santa Monica-based design firm, Design360unlimited, to tackle the new design features. Part of the plan includes showcasing local art.

“They’re trying to incorporate a lot of San Diego into the hotel,” Dallocchio said. “The goal is to make a huge connection with the whole community.”

For more information on the Declan Suites, visit declansuitessandiego.com or call 619-696-9800.