SANTA CRUZ, Calif. -- General Manager Tony Eichers described the Hotel Paradox on Ocean Street as an "upscale, contemporary boutique hotel" -- with a natural touch.
Mother Nature's influence is apparent down to the little things, like the river-rock shower floor or twig pull-handles, and the not-so-little things, like the 15,000-pound eucalyptus log that will serve as the front desk.
The Hotel Paradox is expected to open at the end of August on the former University Inn property. Eichers said it will create roughly 80 jobs and generate an estimated $1 million for the city. The 170-room hotel will be the largest in Santa Cruz (bigger than the beachfront Dream Inn by five rooms), and it fits neatly into the city's overall economic development plan.
"We're really excited it's coming online," said Bonnie Lipscomb, executive director of the city's economic development and redevelopment agency. "It's part of our overall vision to revitalize both the Ocean Street corridor and the beach area."
The hotel will have places for large gatherings, like the Grove meeting room, which will feature floor-to-ceiling glass panels with an etching of the Santa Cruz Mountains.
"We hired a photographer who shot over a thousand pictures of the Santa Cruz redwood forest and he's now etched that into this piece of glass that's going to be three sides to this meeting room," explained Eichers on a tour of the unfinished property Tuesday. "You're sitting in this room and having a meeting, feeling like you're sitting inside a redwood grove."
Lipscomb said conference space is vital for the city.
"We can actually pull together small conferences in Santa Cruz because we have now a number of large hotels with high-quality rooms to attract those types of uses, which is something that we desperately need," she said.
The city has been working hard to attract business and bring other projects online. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center opens next week and officials are still working with the Santa Cruz Warriors D-League team to bring basketball to the city this year.
Lipscomb also cited the Tannery Arts Center and the planned performing arts center, which reflect the culture in Santa Cruz.
Eichers said the Hotel Paradox will incorporate the city's artistic vibe, as well. He pointed out a bookcase that runs the length of the hotel, which will prominently display Santa Cruz artwork.
Five floors above the construction on the pool deck, he said residents can join hotel guests at the cabanas, lounge chairs and Solaire Restaurant + Bar.
"I think it will be a real popular area," he said.
