Lauren Donoho
Director of Public Relations   
Tel 619 522 8041
ldonoho@hoteldel.com
 

BUILDING THE DREAM: HOTEL DEL CORONADO PUBLISHES BOOK ON 1888 CONSTRUCTION

Coronado, CA - In celebration of The Del’s 120th birthday, the legendary resort published the book Building the Dream: The Design and Construction of the Hotel del Coronado, in March 2008.

Dozens of vintage photographs illustrate the text, which also includes information about early resort life and the development of Coronado.

Constructed in less than a year, the Hotel del Coronado has reigned supreme as Southern California’s premier Pacific resort since it opened in February 1888.

Christine Donovan, director of heritage programs for The Del, is the book’s author, “The Hotel del Coronado was conceived early in California’s history, well before San Diego had the materials or manpower to support such an effort. As a result, everything had to be imported or made on site.”

Architects were brought in from the Midwest; lumber and labor came down from the Northwest; early employees were dispatched from Chicago.

Despite these logistical challenges, the hotel’s construction took a mere 337 days between its groundbreaking in March 1887 and opening day on February 19, 1888.

Early on, however, it was the resort’s architecture – not just the pace of construction – that distinguished The Del. With a sweeping silhouette and a whimsy of turrets and towers – not to mention a spectacular oceanfront setting – the Hotel del Coronado became instantly recognizable across the country and around the world.

Though seaside resorts proliferated on both U.S. coasts in the late 19th century, none could claim The Del’s sprawling size and up-to-date amenities, which included electricity, elevators, telephones and other new-fangled notions such as “open air cafes” and “Turkish baths.”

In addition, Coronado’s island-like allure and year-round sunshine ensured The Del’s reputation as a standout destination resort, quickly hailed as “the unrivaled Queen of all-the-year-round resorts.”

Building the Dream: The Design and Construction of the Hotel del Coronado is available at the Signature Shop, Est. 1888 and online at delshop.com.

PHOTOGRAPHY AVAILABLE

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