This mid-20th century motel had, in recent times, fallen into a bad state of disrepair. It was purchased by the current owner, under a City of Sacramento restriction stipulating that the property could no longer remain a motel, due to its bad reputation.

Although the owner felt that his highest return would be to transform the motel into a boutique hotel, renovations commenced for the rooms to become rentable office spaces.

Bathrooms were outfitted and re-tiled, floors re-finished, and electrical re-wiring undertaken, while outside new paint, signage and balconies updated the complex. As all the rooms face the interior courtyard, a large garden area was created, featuring indigenous California plants.

By the time the renovations had been completed, the City of Sacramento lifted its former restriction, and the owner was able to forge ahead with his plan for a boutique hotel.

To preserve the new garden plantings in the central courtyard, land was leased from next door to provide an alternate parking area. A new swimming pool was recently installed, also.

However, this is no ordinary boutique hotel. Its main function is to cater to company meetings and conventions, and is also available for weddings, parties and reunions. The owner and the architect had the foresight to link the motel with a well-respected restaurant and catering facility next door, providing full service menus at great convenience.

Although the renovation project took a somewhat circuitous route, the final outcome has given a new lease on life to a former building that had all but been condemned.

credit: mark rusconi, principal-moniz and rusconi architects