Granger Hotel Gaslamp Quarter has opened its doors in San Diego, honouring the history of the city and its building throughout. 

A member of Design Hotels, the property combines original architectural details dating back to 1904 with custom contemporary artworks and a curated selection of vintage and bespoke furniture. 

The hotel resides within a grand Romanesque building, originally designed by William Quayle, and features arched windows and a carved stone entrance. Inside, Alvin and Kevin Mansour have teamed up with Erika Baker, lead designer and in-house Creative Director of Oram Hotels, to transform the property. 

Guests are greeted in a lobby with a vintage Philip North painting, as well as two custom murals created collaboratively by Baker and local muralist Taylor Wilson. A ceiling mural depicts an abstract elephant and lion, while a floor-to-ceiling textured plaster wall artwork extends over 50ft in length and creates a sense of movement throughout the space. Original 12ft-tall windows bathe the paintings and lobby areas in natural light, augmenting the overarching colour palette of blush, chartreuse and cerulean. Such bold tones, as well as the rich textures found in velvet and animal-print upholstery, contrast with materials like organic stones, handcrafted tiles, marbles and lime wash. 

The design scheme, which references eras from the 1920s to the 70s, extends throughout the 96 guestrooms, including four corner suites. Wide and dimly lit corridors, lined with the building’s original 120-year-old doors, give way to studio loft-style rooms with handcrafted built-ins and custom rattan armoires, vintage books and unique artworks juxtaposed by original tin ceilings and windows.  

Baker is behind many of the artworks, which blend watercolours, cartography and collage, paired with hand-selected vintage pieces, such as pottery and bedside lamps. Light and airy bathrooms feature colourful Italian marble mosaic flooring and are stocked with bespoke Le Labo amenities. 

“A deep passion drives us to define the future of boutique hospitality in San Diego, the city where we were born and raised,” say Alvin and Kevin Mansour. “Our vision stems from a desire to blend the charm of intimate service with distinctive design, catering to the modern traveler who seeks more than just a place to sleep. Inspired by the rich heritage of our location, every element of the hotel reflects the cultural nuances of the surroundings. From handpicked local art to furnishings crafted by artisans, each space tells a story – one that invites guests to immerse themselves in the local narrative.”