Did You Know…

By Frank Sabatini Jr.

…that the Granger Hotel in the Gaslamp Quarter once stored monkeys, tigers and bears while permanent living quarters for them were being prepared at the San Diego Zoo?
According to Granger Hotel owner, Kevin Mansour, who co-owns the refurbished 96-room hotel with his brother, Alvin, historical records show the animals were kept safely in the basement in 1916 and 1917, when the zoo was in early development.
The historic Romanesque-style structure was built in 1904 by prominent architect, William Quayle. It is located on the corner of Fifth and Broadway, and also housed the Bank of Italy (now Bank of America) as well as the iconic Jessop Jewelers.
Mansour, under his company Oram Hotels, purchased the building in 2014 and sunk millions into it for stunning restorations that blend together curated art pieces and vintage appointments.