$1.3 billion Marriott resort will create over 3,400 construction jobs in San Diego

California Construction News staff writer

Mortenson Construction and McCarthy Building have broken ground on Gaylord Pacific Resort Hotel and Convention Centre on the San Diego waterfront.

About 3,480 jobs will be created annually during the construction phase and the resort is expected to open in summer 2025.

“We know Gaylord Pacific is a project with the power to transform the community. It’s not just a resort. It’s an opportunity for new jobs and future economic development to take place and ultimately for Chula Vista to be on the forefront of growth in the region,” said Maja Rosenquist, Mortenson Construction’s senior vice president.

Designed by HKS Architects, the 275,000 sq ft convention centre will have an open-floor exhibition hall with meeting rooms, three ballrooms and large event areas and an atrium is planned with water features, a translucent polymer roof and glass walls.

Features include:

• 1,600 rooms, including 89 suites
• 487,913 sq. ft. of flexible indoor & outdoor event spaces
• 9 restaurants & bars
• Fitness center and Relâche Spa & Salon
• Views of San Diego Bay, Pacific Ocean, city and mountains
• Also, a 4.25-acre water park will contain waterslides, wave pool, surf simulator, giant water playground and multiple pools.

“This $1.3 billion project represents the finest of public–private partnership and will create a strong and unique economic engine for the City of Chula Vista, the Port of San Diego and the State of California for many decades to come,” said Ira Mitzner, RIDA Development Corporation’s chief executive.