Step by step, square-foot by square-foot, and meticulously planned in every imaginable way, the Inn at the Mission is becoming a wondrous reality.
It’s all about the process.
About a year ago, Bill Griffith, local historical preservationist and owner of the Inn at the Mission, was given a green light to begin construction on the 3-star Plaza Banderas project. Instead he decided to transform the conventional project into a locally inspired luxury boutique hotel that would provide an even greater benefit to the community.
The Mission Commercial Properties development team has been busy working within the existing project approvals over the past year to create an iconic 4-star property that will serve as the entry monument into the Historic Downtown of San Juan Capistrano.
“The entry to the Historic Downtown deserves something special,” Griffith said. “That’s why we decided to upgrade the design to accommodate a 4-star luxury boutique. We did not want to settle with the approved 3-star design. We wanted to build something unique, something that treats the Mission with the respect it deserves.”
The modifications are quite specific to improve the guest experience, such as increasing room volume and common areas, and creating greater open spaces and outdoor public areas.
To accomplish the improvements, some of the parking was moved underground to create more room on the site.
Amenities that will enhance the visitor experience are vast. They include:
- Spa facility
- State of the art fitness room
- Kids club
- Pool bar
- Eight suites (including three bridal suites)
- 24-hour valet parking service
- Secured self-parking
- Underground parking garage
- Spring Street curb, gutter and sidewalk that will increase safety for pedestrians and elementary school children and provide 14 parallel parking stalls
- El Camino Real improvements (including undergrounding of the power lines that will help beautify the historic highway), and a public plaza and gathering space.
“Located on the historic El Camino Real Highway, neighboring the Mission, the hotel site is one of a kind,” said Dan Friess, Principal at Mission Commercial Properties, Inc. “We are honored to be developing a site that is in such close proximity to the Jewel of the Missions.”
The Inn at the Mission/Plaza Banderas project is subject to 224 Conditions of Approval and Environmental Mitigation Measures which are being strictly adhered to and followed. The project has been through 21 public meetings over the past six years to get to where it is today, with at least three more planned for this year. And hotel operations will be the best there is.
“Of the many hotelier candidates, we selected Marriott International’s ‘Autograph Collection’ as our operator,” Griffith said. “Their slogan, ‘Exactly like nothing else,’ perfectly captures our vision for this project. San Juan Capistrano is unlike any other travel destination in the United States. An Autograph Collection hotel in town will help highlight San Juan Capistrano on the international stage.”
#
About Inn at the Mission:
The Inn at the Mission, a 124-room 4-star luxury boutique hotel and spa, will stand on the site where the original Mission Inn once stood. With its prime location next to the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano, the Inn at the Mission will join the “Jewel of the Missions” in promoting the town’s unique historical and cultural heritage. The hotel’s California mission-inspired architecture and exhibit of curated artifacts from Mission San Juan Capistrano will create a natural extension of the beloved Mission San Juan Capistrano. The Inn at the Mission Inn will be operated by Marriott International, a renowned, international boutique hotel brand, so all guests are ensured the highest of standards and a full-service experience.
Hotel site owner and developer, Bill Griffith of Rivendell Land Company, is a 25-year resident of San Juan Capistrano and a preservationist at heart. Recognized as a premier developer of large-scale master planned communities and commercial/office projects, Griffith’s first investment was a historical building on Whyte Avenue in his hometown of Edmonton, Canada. Thirty years ago, Griffith helped steer the redevelopment of Whyte Avenue where the vision of preserving its historical integrity and charm has made the location — now known as Old Strathcona — not only the main arts/entertainment/shopping district of Edmonton, but also one of the top destinations in all of Canada.
Griffith envisions the same distinction for San Juan Capistrano’s Historical Town Center, home to California’s Mission Jewel and a number of nationally recognized historical structures — two of which he is the proud owner. The Esslinger Building (1939) was beautifully restored over a decade ago and earned Rivendell Land Company recognition as the recipient of the Mayor’s Community Pride Award in 2004. Griffith recently purchased the Egan House (1886) and is excited to bring this important Heritage site back to life as well.
Joe Haakenson
