Marriott Developers Raze Car Dealership; Prepare to Build

The big dozers you've seen working along Camino Capistrano at Stonehill Drive are grading dirt to start erecting a the first week of April.

The Vice President of R.D. Olson Construction, Ian Gardiner, told Patch that the hotel will be the first of a new generation of Residence Inns to be built in Southern California, meaning guests will see new furnishings and a new layout.

“San Juan Capistrano only has one hotel—so that's a great opportunity for us,” he said. He added that most of the hotels in nearby Dana Point, San Clemente and Laguna Niguel are “considerably more expensive” than the rates this Marriott will offer. Developers plan to market the hotel to people coming and going from Camp Pendleton, as well as the .

It’s the first hotel to be built in the city in more than 20 years, and is being constructed on the site of a former auto dealership. A third hotel, , is planned for construction in San Juan Capistrano's downtown and will also provide restaurant and retail space—a is currently being drafted with the city.

The three-story, 130-room Marriott will be built along with a pool, spa, sport court and an outdoor patio. In the beginning design phases, the recreational spaces.

Gardiner said those concerns have been eased, and that the developers have built “a pretty good relationship” with neighbors.

Construction is slated to wrap up in March 2012.

Mayor Sam Allevato said that while the Marriott project falls within the San Juan Capistrano project area, the hotel was privately funded by the developer and investors.

“This is a prime example of the public and private sector working together to produce a fabulous project,” he said.