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The 2026 Design Awards Event

A view from above of a circular, multi-level courtyard with ornate railings, white columns, red tile floors, and a central fountain surrounded by greenery. Spiral staircases connect the different levels.We're celebrating 24 award winning projects, as well as the Trustee's Awards for Excellence and four President's Awards at the Mission Inn in downtown Riverside. This special celebration is followed by a ticketed reception with food and drinks. Purchase your tickets before they sell out!

The US Grant Hotel

Owner / Client
Doug Korn – The US Grant Hotel

Project Lead
Ann Harrer – WJE

Lead Architect
Ann Harrer – WJE

The US Grant Hotel

The US Grant Hotel is a winner for the 2026 Preservation Design Award in the category of Craftsmanship/Preservation Technology. Award recipients are selected by a jury of top professionals in the fields of architecture, engineering, planning, and history, as well as renowned architecture critics and journalists. Tickets and sponsorship options are available at californiapreservation.org/programs/awards/.

About The US Grant Hotel

Through collaboration, modern materials, and true craftsmanship, a cherished local and national landmark has been revitalized. After 110 years, the US Grant Hotel in San Diego has begun its dazzling next chapter.

Following the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, the design team developed a repair approach that both addressed the corroding steel reinforcement, which was causing visible distress on the concrete, and matched the aesthetic of the existing concrete elements in geometry and finish. Original design components that had been removed or lost to previous renovation work were restored.

A high level of craftsmanship was required to execute the work successfully. The contractor created mock-ups and test areas for review prior to implementation. A new paint coating to protect the facade was applied, with the selected color based on historic research. The result is a refreshed appearance that acknowledges the hotel’s long and distinguished history.

Read more about the Preservation Design Awards
A grand multi-story hotel with classical architecture stands in a cityscape; text reads: The US Grant Hotel, Los Angeles, Craftsmanship, 2026 Preservation Design Award, California Preservation Foundation.
A damaged concrete ledge on a building with exposed, rusted metal reinforcement bars jutting out from the crumbling structure.
Aerial view of a historic, white multi-story building with a courtyard, surrounded by palm trees and city streets in a downtown urban area with modern high-rises in the background.
A grand, historic hotel with a white facade and arched entrance stands among modern high-rise buildings; palm trees line the street in front under a cloudy sky.
A large, historic multi-story building with beige and cream exterior, tall windows, black awnings, and gold accents. Several cars are parked along the street in front, under a clear blue sky.
A damaged concrete railing with large chunks missing and debris scattered on the floor, exposing rebar and broken pieces; sunlight casts shadows through the remaining banisters.
A close-up of a building facade shows a damaged section of cornice with exposed material, next to an ornate gold decorative panel on a purple and black wall.
A grand historic hotel with symmetrical white and beige architecture, tall pillars, black awnings, multiple flags, decorative details, and an American flag flying on the rooftop against a clear blue sky.
Storefront with black awnings, one of which has a hole in it. An American flag hangs above the entrance. The building has cream-colored walls, gold accents, and signage that reads rendezvous.
Close-up of a damaged stone cornice on a building, showing exposed and heavily rusted rebar protruding from a crack between the decorative elements.
A close-up of an old wooden window with chipped paint and visible patches of repair. Sheer white curtains hang inside, and several buildings are reflected in the glass.
A smiling man stands next to a broken concrete support beam and a damaged light fixture attached to a building, with part of the structure visibly displaced and plywood beneath.
Scaffolding covers parts of two large historic buildings under renovation, with workers visible on upper levels and a clear blue sky in the background.

Community Importance

The US Grant Hotel, originally constructed in 1910, takes up an entire city block in Downtown San Diego. With its central location, the hotel has continuously operated since its original construction. The hotel welcomes guests from around the world and is a treasured landmark in Downtown San Diego.

The project originated with concerns about the visible deterioration and distress at the concrete facade, including potential overhead hazards from falling debris. It was important that the building facade be stabilized and repaired to address any concerns. It was also critical that an approach be developed that would address deterioration, extend the service life of the exterior components and revitalize this San Diego landmark.

With its central location and prominent presence in Downtown San Diego, the grand hotel hosts visitors, tourists, and locals alike for meals, vacations, conferences, weddings, and other revenue-generating events for the city. The hotel is a landmark and destination for San Diego’s citizens and visitors alike.

 

About CPF and the Awards

Held in conjunction with CPF’s 2026 Annual Conference in Riverside, the 2026 Mission Inn Preservation Design Awards Ceremony and Reception will spotlight excellence in historic preservation in a setting that reflects the very spirit of the work being honored. This special evening brings together award recipients, conference participants, preservation leaders, and supporters from across California to celebrate outstanding preservation projects and leadership through the Preservation Design Awards and President’s Awards.

Founded in 1978, the California Preservation Foundation (CPF) is California’s statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection of historic places and cultural heritage. Through education, advocacy, and community-centered programs, CPF supports the people, projects, and policies that keep California’s historic resources vital and valued. We now support a national network of more than 36,000 members and supporters. Click here to learn how you can become a member.