September 29, 2014

144-Room Hotel is First Ground-Up Hotel Project in Old Town Pasadena in 15 Years

Pasadena, Calif. – R.D. Olson Construction has begun construction on a five-story, 144-room Residence Inn by Marriott extended stay hotel in Pasadena, California, the first hotel to be constructed in Old Town Pasadena in more than 15 years. The Irvine, California-based general contractor was selected by owner Fair Oaks Hotels, LLC to construct the $30.5 million 94,091 square-foot hotel which is slated for completion in fall 2015. R.D. Olson has been an active builder of hospitality properties over the past year, with more than six projects currently under construction in California.

The hotel’s guest amenities will include more than 1,000 square-feet of meeting space, an on-site market, elevated deck with a pool and spa, breakfast area, fire pit, exercise room and fully equipped business center. Awbrey Cook Rogers McGill Architects will serve as the architectural firm for the project with interior design by Seattle-based Degen & Degen. Design elements are a playful rendition of the arts and crafts heritage of Old Town Pasadena, blending iconic period gestures with modern detailing. Marriott’s latest Gen 9 Design will showcase contemporary furnishings within a traditional setting, incorporating natural materials such as brick, stone, hand glazed tile and dark wood.

“This construction project sits at the gateway to Old Town Pasadena and will take the lead in bringing more available rooms to this destination city,” said Bill Wilhelm, president of R.D. Olson Construction. “It is exciting to contribute to an area like Old Town Pasadena that is so steeped in tradition.”

The hotel’s interior and exterior design will weave in subtle Mediterranean architecture and design through the use of parapet and tiled gable roofs, hipped-roof corner towers and plaster walls. Additionally, a variety of window openings are highlighted, including groupings of punched, multi-story windows which allow ample natural light into the building.

R. D. Olson most recently broke ground on the 250-room Paséa Hotel & Spa in Huntington Beach, Calif., and the 221-room Courtyard by Marriott in Anaheim, Calif., and is in the process of a significant hotel conversion near Los Angeles International Airport. The firm also completed the 210-room Courtyard by Marriott Irvine Spectrum in June. Earlier this year, R.D. Olson Construction was honored with the Icon Award from Marriott’s Design and Construction division for excellence in construction.

About R.D. Olson Construction
Founded by Bob Olson in 1979, R.D. Olson Construction is one of the top 50 general contracting firms in California. R.D. Olson Construction is a premier builder in the hospitality industry for several national hoteliers, including Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Ritz Carlton, and Starwood. R.D. Olson Construction is also experienced in multi-family housing, entertainment, retail, restaurant and corporate facility projects. www.rdolson.com