El Cortez is a condo building in downtown San Diego’s Cortez Hill neighborhood. Â Originally built in 1927 and converted to condos in 2004, the El Cortez, with its Spanish Renaissance Revival architecture, is a long-standing landmark in downtown San Diego.
Developer: Peter Janopaul & Anthony Block (2004) “The J Peter Block Companies”
Architect: Albert R. Walker & Percy Eisen
Stories: 16
Units: 85
Amenities @ El Cortez: Gym & spa (Level B), pool (Lobby Level), community deck (2nd Floor), optional valet service
Of note: Small elevators, one bedrooms = no in-unit laundry
My favorite things about The El Cortez: Lobby, crown molding, windows, the history, Mills Act protection (but apparently no economic benefit at this time)
Also:Litigation at El Cortez resolved in 2011; plumbing repaired but not replaced; addition of in-unit washer/dryer not possible; separate monthly water bill to each owner is approximately $30 as of June 2011
And at El Cortez: New condo project planned for NE corner of the lot has no plans to break ground any time soon (as of June 2011). If built, developer must provide parking for El Cortez residents to eliminate the need/cost for valet. New development would take over the space where the current pool is located and they would give shared access to the new pool built for that community.