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.

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.

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.

0212 La Concha Paola Quevedo N28
0212 La Concha Paola Quevedo N24
Our goals were twofold: to restore the hotel's iconic image and to integrate modern hospitality requirements.
0212 La Concha N40

"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
0212 La Concha Paola Quevedo N22
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.
0212 La Concha Paola Quevedo N23
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.
0212 La Concha Paola Quevedo N18
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.
0212 La Concha Cris Molina N33
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.”
0212 La Concha Paola Quevedo N21
The adoption of modern construction technologies was pivotal in recreating original details with more durable materials.
0212 La Concha N37
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.
0212 La Concha Paola Quevedo N27
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.

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.

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.

0212 La Concha Paola Quevedo N28
0212 La Concha Paola Quevedo N24
Our goals were twofold: to restore the hotel's iconic image and to integrate modern hospitality requirements.
0212 La Concha N40

"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
0212 La Concha Paola Quevedo N22
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.
0212 La Concha Paola Quevedo N23
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.
0212 La Concha Paola Quevedo N18
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.
0212 La Concha Cris Molina N33
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.”
0212 La Concha Paola Quevedo N21
The adoption of modern construction technologies was pivotal in recreating original details with more durable materials.
0212 La Concha N37
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.
0212 La Concha Paola Quevedo N27
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.

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.

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.

0212 La Concha Paola Quevedo N28
0212 La Concha Paola Quevedo N24
Our goals were twofold: to restore the hotel's iconic image and to integrate modern hospitality requirements.
0212 La Concha N40

"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
0212 La Concha Paola Quevedo N22
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.
0212 La Concha Paola Quevedo N23
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.
0212 La Concha Paola Quevedo N18
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.
0212 La Concha Cris Molina N33
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.”
0212 La Concha Paola Quevedo N21
The adoption of modern construction technologies was pivotal in recreating original details with more durable materials.
0212 La Concha N37
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.
0212 La Concha Paola Quevedo N27
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.

Location

San Juan, PR

Client

International Hospitality Enterprises

Typology

Size

881,000 SF

Design Team

José R. Marchand Sifre, Thomas S. Marvel, Raquel Marrero, Edna Echandi-Guzman, Ramón Martínez, Omar Reyes, Angel Jiménez

Awards

Award of Heritage intervention at the VII Caribbean Architectural Bianual, La Habana, Cuba, CEMEX Award, Award of Honor The American Society of Landscape Architects

Consultants

GMS/Collado Engineering