Did You Know…

By Frank Sabatini Jr.

…that the historic 16-floor El Cortez building in downtown’s Cortez Hill neighborhood once ranked as San Diego’s tallest structure? The stunning Spanish Colonial Revival edifice has endured many changes since it was erected in only a one-year period starting in 1926. It opened as a luxury apartment-hotel, and then shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, it saw the installation of a radar station on its roof.

By the 1950s the highrise became a hot spot for wealthy lodgers and high-society events while showing off an innovative exterior glass elevator that transported visitors to the building’s plush penthouse bar.

El Cortez closed down in the late 70s, only to be purchased by an evangelist who wanted to turn the property into a religious boarding school and place of worship. That never fully materialized, and it was sold again and eventually came under threat of demolition.

The building was fortunately designated as a registered historical site. Some (but not all) of its architectural elements were preserved after changing ownership a few more times.

Today, the El Cortez still serves as a landmark beacon with its illuminated rooftop signage. It now ranks as the 40th tallest building in San Diego and is home to a mix of condominium units and commercial offices.