El Cortez Apartment Hotel

El Cortez Apartment Hotel rises near the northern edge of downtown as a mix of apartments and guest rooms wrapped in terracotta tile and iron balconies. The main block carries a taller center tower above lower side wings, with arched windows and decorative ironwork across the facade that give the building its Spanish character.

Construction finished in 1927 and gave San Diego its tallest structure for many decades, opening with a large public celebration that drew huge crowds. Ownership changed hands several times over the following decades, and during the 1950s a new owner added an exterior glass elevator to the facade.

The Don Room displays intricate sandalwood ceiling carvings supported by substantial pillars, while the Aztec Dining Room offers extensive windows.

The building sits just a few blocks from the waterfront and within easy walking distance of the city center. Visitors can enter the lobby areas during normal hours, though upper floors remain private for residents and registered guests.

The exterior glass elevator installed during the 1950s was the first of its kind anywhere in the world and changed how the building looked from street level. This technical addition later served as a model for similar installations in other cities.

Location: San Diego

Inception: 1927

Architects: Walker & Eisen

Architectural style: Spanish Colonial Revival architecture

GPS coordinates: 32.72028,-117.15806

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:26