La Concha San Juan
Restoring the iconic 1958 La Concha Hotel to its former glory, while integrating modern hospitality requirements.
A 158-key hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico, recognized as a prime example of tropical modern architecture, La Concha had experienced numerous modifications over the years, culminating in its closure and abandonment by the late 1980s. Plans for its demolition in the late 1990s were halted due to significant public and architectural community opposition.
Previously isolated and disconnected from the hotel's main areas, the redesigned pool deck now seamlessly extends from the lobby, enhancing access and views to the beach.
We introduced a new grid system and bright structural steel elements to delineate this transition, alongside expanding guestrooms towards the North façade to optimize ocean views and room sizes.
The adoption of modern construction technologies was pivotal in recreating original details with more durable materials.
The South façade's pre-cast concrete brise-soleil and the wood louvers in guestroom corridors were replaced with aluminum, maintaining the original aesthetic while ensuring longevity.
In navigating the La Concha Hotel's renovation, we meticulously ensured that our interventions preserved its iconic stature while fostering a sense of familiarity and comfort throughout its spaces.
Restoring the iconic 1958 La Concha Hotel to its former glory, while integrating modern hospitality requirements.
A 158-key hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico, recognized as a prime example of tropical modern architecture, La Concha had experienced numerous modifications over the years, culminating in its closure and abandonment by the late 1980s. Plans for its demolition in the late 1990s were halted due to significant public and architectural community opposition.


Our goals were twofold: to restore the hotel's iconic image and to integrate modern hospitality requirements.

"While our renovation paid homage to the original design and proportions, it incorporated new construction technologies to comply with current codes. "
Raquel Marrero, Partner at Marvel

Subsequently, we evaluated the hotel operator's needs to ensure they could be seamlessly integrated into the existing structure. We found that the main operational areas could remain in their original locations, such as the lobby, ballroom, restaurants, and support spaces.

Previously isolated and disconnected from the hotel's main areas, the redesigned pool deck now seamlessly extends from the lobby, enhancing access and views to the beach.

We introduced a new grid system and bright structural steel elements to delineate this transition, alongside expanding guestrooms towards the North façade to optimize ocean views and room sizes.

Initially, we pinpointed the hotel's original elements that were crucial for reconstruction or preservation. This included the multi-vaulted structure along Ashford Avenue, the spiral stair at the entrance, the ballroom vault, and the signature concrete shell structure known as “La Concha.”

The adoption of modern construction technologies was pivotal in recreating original details with more durable materials.

The South façade's pre-cast concrete brise-soleil and the wood louvers in guestroom corridors were replaced with aluminum, maintaining the original aesthetic while ensuring longevity.

In navigating the La Concha Hotel's renovation, we meticulously ensured that our interventions preserved its iconic stature while fostering a sense of familiarity and comfort throughout its spaces.
La Concha San Juan
Restoring the iconic 1958 La Concha Hotel to its former glory, while integrating modern hospitality requirements.
A 158-key hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico, recognized as a prime example of tropical modern architecture, La Concha had experienced numerous modifications over the years, culminating in its closure and abandonment by the late 1980s. Plans for its demolition in the late 1990s were halted due to significant public and architectural community opposition.
Previously isolated and disconnected from the hotel's main areas, the redesigned pool deck now seamlessly extends from the lobby, enhancing access and views to the beach.
We introduced a new grid system and bright structural steel elements to delineate this transition, alongside expanding guestrooms towards the North façade to optimize ocean views and room sizes.
The adoption of modern construction technologies was pivotal in recreating original details with more durable materials.
The South façade's pre-cast concrete brise-soleil and the wood louvers in guestroom corridors were replaced with aluminum, maintaining the original aesthetic while ensuring longevity.
In navigating the La Concha Hotel's renovation, we meticulously ensured that our interventions preserved its iconic stature while fostering a sense of familiarity and comfort throughout its spaces.
Restoring the iconic 1958 La Concha Hotel to its former glory, while integrating modern hospitality requirements.
A 158-key hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico, recognized as a prime example of tropical modern architecture, La Concha had experienced numerous modifications over the years, culminating in its closure and abandonment by the late 1980s. Plans for its demolition in the late 1990s were halted due to significant public and architectural community opposition.


Our goals were twofold: to restore the hotel's iconic image and to integrate modern hospitality requirements.

"While our renovation paid homage to the original design and proportions, it incorporated new construction technologies to comply with current codes. "
Raquel Marrero, Partner at Marvel

Subsequently, we evaluated the hotel operator's needs to ensure they could be seamlessly integrated into the existing structure. We found that the main operational areas could remain in their original locations, such as the lobby, ballroom, restaurants, and support spaces.

Previously isolated and disconnected from the hotel's main areas, the redesigned pool deck now seamlessly extends from the lobby, enhancing access and views to the beach.

We introduced a new grid system and bright structural steel elements to delineate this transition, alongside expanding guestrooms towards the North façade to optimize ocean views and room sizes.

Initially, we pinpointed the hotel's original elements that were crucial for reconstruction or preservation. This included the multi-vaulted structure along Ashford Avenue, the spiral stair at the entrance, the ballroom vault, and the signature concrete shell structure known as “La Concha.”

The adoption of modern construction technologies was pivotal in recreating original details with more durable materials.

The South façade's pre-cast concrete brise-soleil and the wood louvers in guestroom corridors were replaced with aluminum, maintaining the original aesthetic while ensuring longevity.

In navigating the La Concha Hotel's renovation, we meticulously ensured that our interventions preserved its iconic stature while fostering a sense of familiarity and comfort throughout its spaces.
La Concha San Juan
Restoring the iconic 1958 La Concha Hotel to its former glory, while integrating modern hospitality requirements.
A 158-key hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico, recognized as a prime example of tropical modern architecture, La Concha had experienced numerous modifications over the years, culminating in its closure and abandonment by the late 1980s. Plans for its demolition in the late 1990s were halted due to significant public and architectural community opposition.
Previously isolated and disconnected from the hotel's main areas, the redesigned pool deck now seamlessly extends from the lobby, enhancing access and views to the beach.
We introduced a new grid system and bright structural steel elements to delineate this transition, alongside expanding guestrooms towards the North façade to optimize ocean views and room sizes.
The adoption of modern construction technologies was pivotal in recreating original details with more durable materials.
The South façade's pre-cast concrete brise-soleil and the wood louvers in guestroom corridors were replaced with aluminum, maintaining the original aesthetic while ensuring longevity.
In navigating the La Concha Hotel's renovation, we meticulously ensured that our interventions preserved its iconic stature while fostering a sense of familiarity and comfort throughout its spaces.
Restoring the iconic 1958 La Concha Hotel to its former glory, while integrating modern hospitality requirements.
A 158-key hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico, recognized as a prime example of tropical modern architecture, La Concha had experienced numerous modifications over the years, culminating in its closure and abandonment by the late 1980s. Plans for its demolition in the late 1990s were halted due to significant public and architectural community opposition.


Our goals were twofold: to restore the hotel's iconic image and to integrate modern hospitality requirements.

"While our renovation paid homage to the original design and proportions, it incorporated new construction technologies to comply with current codes. "
Raquel Marrero, Partner at Marvel

Subsequently, we evaluated the hotel operator's needs to ensure they could be seamlessly integrated into the existing structure. We found that the main operational areas could remain in their original locations, such as the lobby, ballroom, restaurants, and support spaces.

Previously isolated and disconnected from the hotel's main areas, the redesigned pool deck now seamlessly extends from the lobby, enhancing access and views to the beach.

We introduced a new grid system and bright structural steel elements to delineate this transition, alongside expanding guestrooms towards the North façade to optimize ocean views and room sizes.

Initially, we pinpointed the hotel's original elements that were crucial for reconstruction or preservation. This included the multi-vaulted structure along Ashford Avenue, the spiral stair at the entrance, the ballroom vault, and the signature concrete shell structure known as “La Concha.”

The adoption of modern construction technologies was pivotal in recreating original details with more durable materials.

The South façade's pre-cast concrete brise-soleil and the wood louvers in guestroom corridors were replaced with aluminum, maintaining the original aesthetic while ensuring longevity.
