All photos by Horacio Virissimo except where noted otherwise
Photo by Sandé Lollis
Photo by Sandé Lollis
Photo by Sandé Lollis
Photo by Sandé Lollis
THE 1888 HOTEL DEL CORONADO is known for its charming design, elegant rooms, and top-level service, but there is much that historically has gone on behind the scenes to maintain the character and functionality of this iconic hotel. For over 100 years, a single-story brick building situated just southeast of the grand entrance, known as the Laundry Building, serviced the hotel for all its laundering needs. Marked with a simple wood sign, the laundry also served Coronado residents with five laundry trucks a day.
In 2018, after a century of dedicated service, the laundry ceased operations. The Hotel del Coronado Master Plan called for the building to be restored and renovated into a new guest services space. Flexibility and simplicity were key factors in designing a modern functional space within the brick masonry and wood truss historic frame. Completed in July of 2019, the interior renovation included light, steel-framed windows to fill large obsolete openings, while interior birch plywood paneling contrasts with the refurbished brick exterior walls. The two original interior rooms remain, and the historic laundry rack system was kept intact and frames the modern space from above. Exterior restoration work included returning the brick to its original color, repairing and reglazing old windows, and recreating the signature laundry sign.
All new features were designed to be obvious modern additions, so as not to detract or interfere with the historic components, and if ever removed, the building's historic integrity would not be compromised. Soon, the public will be able to use and enjoy this reimagined space, while experiencing the history that lives within its walls.
For a fantastic project that honors the hotel's history while celebrating its future, SOHO is proud to present Michael Haslett and the Hotel del Coronado with the Commercial Restoration Award for the Laundry Building.
(Left to right) Colleen Boretto, Christopher Bittner, Mike Haslett, David Marshall, Ryan Feinberg. Photo by Sandé Lollis
