Downtown San Diego's Tower 180 turns to dual-branded Hyat

Travel Daily News

2 days ago

J Street will transform San Diego's Tower 180 into a $250M, dual-branded Hyatt hotel, marking a major office-to-hospitality conversion.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – J Street, a leading San Diego-based real estate developer, announced ambitious plans to transform Tower 180, a 25-story office building in Downtown San Diego, into a 560-key dual-branded project with a Hyatt Place and Hyatt House hotel. The conversion project, in collaboration with Hyatt, represents one of the largest office-to-hospitality conversions in the history of Southern California and will cost approximately $250 million. Construction is slated to begin in early 2026 with completion expected in the first half of 2028. The transformation aims to not only revitalize an underutilized downtown property but also create a vibrant destination that serves both visitors and locals, further enhancing the city's downtown corridor.
'This type of conversion project requires curiosity, creativity, and confidence,' said Saj Hansji, Founder and CEO of J Street. 'As a small and nimble firm, we were able to recognize the exceptional potential of Tower 180 and structure an offer that outpaced more institutional competitors. Over the past two years, we've meticulously quantified and mitigated the risks, creating a friction-free path to deliver this transformative new hotel for Downtown San Diego.'
J Street acquired Tower 180 in December 2023 and partnered with architecture firm Delawie and interior design firm MONOGRAM at BBGM to reimagine the space. The Tower 180 project is uniquely positioned for success due to several key advantages. Originally built as the United States National Bank Building, the building underwent extensive renovations to its facade, lobby, and mechanical systems in 2020, making it an ideal conversion with updated infrastructure already in place. The building is also fully vacant eliminating relocation challenges often associated with adaptive reuse projects and has undergone substantial interior demolition and abatement. The architectural configuration of the main tower and adjacent annex presents an efficient layout for guestroom design, maximizing the property's functionality for hospitality use. The development also features a standalone nine-story parking garage, ensuring convenient parking options for guests and the public.
Located at 180 Broadway, the 385,000-square-foot tower will be converted into a Hyatt Place hotel (371 keys) and a Hyatt House hotel (189 keys), offering two distinct hospitality experiences under one roof. The Hyatt Place hotel will offer those traveling for business or those looking to unwind a spacious room with dedicated places to work, sleep and hang out, helping guests seamlessly transition from working hours to relaxation. The Hyatt House hotel will provide well-equipped living accommodations with everything guests need for short- or long-term stays. Both hotels' amenities will help guests maintain their routine and enjoy the comforts of home when they are away. The dual property will feature reception areas, a lobby lounge, and market on the ground floor, a breakfast bar with an additional overflow lounge on the second floor, and more than 12,000 square feet of meeting space across levels 9 and 10 to accommodate conferences and events.
'Hyatt's partnership with J Street to transform Tower 180 is a fantastic opportunity to bring Hyatt's Essentials Brands to the Downtown San Diego market,' said Nirav Shah, Regional Vice President Development, Hyatt. 'With J Street's creativity and experience, this project exemplifies the transformation of office space in primary urban markets in the post-pandemic world.'
The crown jewel of the project will be Lurline Cocktail Club, an upscale rooftop bar and lounge on the 25th floor. With high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling glass walls showcasing panoramic, unobstructed 360-degree views of the San Diego skyline and the ocean beyond, Lurline will blend the sophistication of a private penthouse with the energy of a premier listening lounge and sky-high bar. Featuring a sleek, minimalist design with a thoughtful balance of rough and polished materials, Lurline will showcase a curated collection of modern art that celebrates the intersection of architecture and music. The venue will offer a separate entrance off the street, serving as a destination for visitors and locals alike.
This project continues J Street's commitment to creating unique, singular developments that enhance urban environments while providing exceptional returns. The conversion of Tower 180 aligns with the growing national trend of repurposing underutilized office buildings for hospitality and residential uses, addressing changing market demands in the post-pandemic landscape.