The Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Downtown hotel has completed a $5.8 million renovation of all public spaces, meeting rooms, and guestrooms. Key historical elements of the San Diego Trust and Savings Bank⎯⎯built in 1928⎯⎯were preserved during the revitalization.
Overseeing the renovations, Portland, Oregon-based SERA Architects incorporated locally relevant design components into the building while remaining consistent with the brand’s design standards. Guestrooms boast a warm color scheme and eco-friendly upgrades⎯⎯including environmentally friendly lights and air conditioning. 

Meeting spaces feature new wall vinyl, carpeting, furniture, and technology, and also include the hotel’s new art program. Throughout the hotel, more than 300 pieces of local artwork are showcased. These include an 8-by-8-foot oil painting of a pool scene by Sarah Stieber and a colorful portrait of Trust and Savings Bank founder J.W. Sefton, Sr. by Los Angeles artist Leia Steingart.
The newly designed lobby hints at the California sunset with its color palette and historic handpainted ceiling. Separated from the lobby by decorative wood screens, the restaurant serves classic American flavors with Southern California flair.
“We wanted to create an interior that celebrates the nostalgia yet has a fresh and contemporary overlay of design elements that honor the historical details,” says Brandon Asbury of SERA Architects. “The overall goal was to create a space that welcomes both hotel guests and locals alike⎯⎯allowing everyone to experience the architectural heritage of the building.”
