Projects
San Juan
Condado Vanderbilt Hotel and Towers
A FIVE-STAR RESORT
The Condado Vanderbilt Hotel is a historic luxury hotel built in 1919 and located in the Condado District of San Juan. The original hotel was designed by the architectural firm Warren and Wetmore, who also designed New York's Grand Central Terminal. The designers created a Beaux Arts-style structure with white walls, red tiles, French windows, lofty ceilings, marble finishes, and an iconic double spiral staircase. Its construction by the Vanderbilt family marked the beginning of high-end tourism in Puerto Rico.
Several ownership groups took charge of the property and made additions to both the east and west sides. Eventually, it joined the nearby La Concha Hotel and the convention center in what was known as the Condado Trio. It fell into government hands and closed its doors in 1997. In 2002, hotelier and developer Hugh Andrews selected a team to bring the old hotel back to its original glory and provide additional guestrooms and public spaces, resulting in a five-star property.
Project Details:
PROJECT: Renovation and Additions – The Rebirth of a Historic Hotel
Type: Restoration of historic building/construction of adjacent towers
Location: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Size: 319 guestrooms, 4 restaurants/bars, 3 pools, spa, 12,000 square feet of ballroom and meeting space
Value: $240 million
Start of project: Members of the GBPM team were involved through different organizations until 2012
Len Cobb – Structural Engineer and Coordinating Professional (2005-2008), Project Director and Owners Representative (2008-2012)
Kate Horkman – Project Accountant and Administrator
Jay Cobb – Project Inspector
GBPM services: As a company, GBPM assumed responsibility for Project Management with Additional Finish Coordination from 2012 until the full opening in 2014
DESCRIPTION:
Hugh Andrews’ entrusted his vision of maintaining the original hotel’s historic character while creating a fully modern five-star resort to Architects Marvel & Marchand and Interior Designer Jorge Rossello. The concept included a fully renovated landmark structure and newly constructed “bookend” towers. There are 90 guestrooms in the historic structure and an additional 229 rooms and suites in the towers. Each tower has an elegant presidential suite on the top floor facing the ocean. The hotel features a stunning lobby and ballroom, ample meeting space, and a signature restaurant and bar.
Contrary to the prevailing sentiment that true 5-star finishes were unattainable in Puerto Rico without importing workers, local craftsmen provided all intricate millwork and finishes. The towers rise over underground parking levels and house two restaurants and a spa concept unique to Puerto Rico. The fully landscaped outdoor spaces include two main pools, a spa pool, an infinity pool overlooking the ocean, and a cantilevered wood deck over the San Juan coast. One unseen feature is the underground parking, which extends up to ten feet below sea level. The facility opened as a venue in 2012 and was fully operational in December 2014.
PROJECT DETAILS:
PROJECT: Ventana al Mar Renovation
Type: Landscape and Hardscape Renovation
Location: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Value: $450,000
GBPM Services: Project Management
DESCRIPTION:
The government constructed the Ventana al Mar open park area in 2003, where the connecting convention center was located. By the time of the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel opening, the park was overrun by invasive species and had a significant sand intrusion. The owners funded a renovation of the ocean side of the park, including the then closed ocean view walkway separating the park from the ocean. Invasive trees were removed and replaced with indigenous materials. The construction of a protected dune contained the wind-driven migrating sand.