Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina Going Outdoors

SAN DIEGO— Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina , owned by Host Hotels & Resorts Inc., has begun work on a major expansion.

A major expansion will add 280,000 square feet of meeting space to Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina.

The iconic luxury hotel will now be home to a brand-new two-level stacked ballroom project along with Marina Terrace , a grand outdoor area right on the bay, coupled with the stunning public walkway, Marina Walk . With its gigantic 16-screen video wall system and distinctive design details such as a unique Swarovski crystal ceiling installation, the new San Diego meeting venues blend cutting-edge technology with sophisticated, inspired design. Following an extensive multi-million dollar makeover of the resort’s guest rooms and public areas in 2011, the downtown San Diego luxury hotel is undergoing an approximate $107 million investment into its meeting and event offerings. Upon completion of the significant expansion this summer, the hotel will offer premium indoor and outdoor venues with increased connectivity between downtown and the bay. “It’s such an exciting time to plan an event at Marriott Marquis as we greatly expand our options,” says Tuni Kyi , Marriott’s general manager. “This summer we’ll be unveiling a truly fresh and innovative product, answering to the tremendous demand we receive here at the hotel.” The new construction will increase the meeting, indoor and outdoor event space to 280,000 square feet. Perfect for a wide selection of meetings, weddings and events, the renovation’s showpiece consists of two spectacular 36,000 square-foot ballrooms (Marriott Grand Ballroom & Pacific Ballroom), each capable of accommodating up to 3,700 guests. Set to be the largest ballrooms on the West Coast, both have grand foyers reaching up to 25,000 square feet, offering options to extend the space. The new building, which complements the downtown hotel’s existing towers, is uniquely positioned on the waterfront and boasts a striking blue glass design, which makes use of the enviable natural light. Inspired by the beauty of Southern California, the color scheme evokes the allure of the glimmering sand and sea. Stylistic and functional, each space with its clean lines is carefully curated with a contemporary and casual look and feel, as envisioned by tvsdesign , which has thoughtfully addressed scale, form, function and materials to create a memorable experience for visitors. Distinct design details include undulating wave patterns adorning the ceilings and “Tidal”, a one-of-a-kind Swarovski crystal ceiling installation in the ballrooms’ pre-function space, which will mesmerize guests, attendees and art lovers alike. As part of the expansion, the waterfront hotel is also completing Marina Terrace, 27,000 square feet of paved outdoor event space overlooking the idyllic marina. Ideally situated between downtown San Diego and the bay, Marina Terrace is perfect for special celebrations and seasonal city attractions, accommodating up to 4,000 guests with ample seating areas to relax or mingle. A final piece of the renovation will be Marriott Marquis’ Marina Walk, a landscaped walkway where visitors will enjoy beautiful public art, decorative paving and sweeping views of the waterfront. The Walk will feature two public artworks by Los Angeles-based art collective After Architecture . “Tide” is an exterior sculpture comprised of a series of LED-illuminated waves, and “Kelp” is an installation constructed of painted steel strips and symbolic of sunlight kelp on the ocean floor. With full wheelchair accessibility and public facilities, Marina Walk’s finishing touches include bike racks and benches. Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina, managed by Marriott Hotels International, is at 333 W. Harbor Drive in San Diego, near the San Diego Convention Center and Gaslamp Quarter.