This 1930's era apartment complex in an Art Deco style was recently upgraded. It holds its own in a prominent location opposite the park and among ritzier structures such as Park Laurel Condos. It was intended to be part of the St. Paul's Cathedral development, as the affordable housing component, back in 2005 before the market took a dive. Although the new construction did not move forward, at least this little gem has been given a new lease on life.

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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

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The internationally-acclaimed, Tony® Award-winning Old Globe located in Balboa Park is one of the most renowned regional theatres in the country, and has stood as San Diego’s flagship arts institution for over 70 years. In order to ensure the long-term vitality of the theatre, the Old Globe decided to rejuvenate the campus. They selected DPR Construction to build the 250-seat in-the-round space that replaces the Cassius Carter Centre Stage as the Globe’s second stage, immediately adjacent to the existing Old Globe Theatre. Adhering to the Elizabethan architectural style, the new theatre-in-the-round and plaza share the design elements of the historic Old Globe Campus. The 30,000-sq.-ft. five-level (Trap, Stage, Entry, Grid and Education levels), technology advanced performace space includes 6,200 sq. ft of classroom space, flexible cabaret space, dressing rooms, below grade support space, a lobby area, and a pub area with outdoor seating. Although this building is structurally separated as a self-supporting building, it was functionally integrated into the existing theatre complex. Improvements were also performed on the 14,000 sq. ft. plaza in front of the new theatre center.

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Instead of working with what they have (which is some of the best Mid-Century Modern retail in the city) and accepting that good architectural design didn't end with the death of Irving Gill, North Park seems to be working very hard to become 'Anytown USA' by transforming the south east block of 30th & University into something that would fit in Temecula, San Marcos, Poway, Scrips Ranch, Tierrasanta or pretty much any nondescript suburb. One of the worst examples of the tastelessness that exists in the 'revitalization' effort is the bar that was once 'Shooterz' [sic] (though this building possibly predates the death of Gill) that was a brick facade building complete with saw tooth parapet being 'reborn' into what is now 'True North', A stucco faced bistro/bar adorned with fixtures of the latest style that Home Depot had to offer, it exudes all the architectural interest of a 7-11. But thank God they covered up all that ugly brick with stucco, because if there's one building material in San Diego that we have waaaaaaay too much of, it's brick! Thank goodness these people don't have anything to do with Balboa park or the Aerospace museum might end up looking like a Greene & Greene Cape Cod.

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The owner, Scripps Health (Scripps Mercy Hospital), wants to demolish this 1911 Craftsman home, one of the final remaining structures from the original “Hillcrest” subdivision. Ron May, president of Legacy 106 made a presentation on behalf of the Hillcrest History Guild to the HRB demonstrating why this house needed to be granted an historic designation and preserved. Point Loma resident, Carolyn Kutzke would like to save the house by relocating it to University Heights requiring another UH Craftsman to either be demolished or moved. This is not a satisfactory solution. Hillcrest will lose a remaining fiber of the character of the neighborhood and UH will lose a Craftsman as well. The optimum outcome would be to preserve and restore the house on its present site since this bungalow is one of few remaining in William Wesley Whitson’s original “Hillcrest” subdivision. Perhaps Scripps should honor their namesake the Sisters of Mercy with a museum. The community fears that Scripps Health will exercise it rights as a medical institution and have the house demolished.

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