Built in 1910 by architect Harrison Albright and Ulysses S. Grant Jr., the US Grant Hotel is an iconic landmark in downtown San Diego. Renowned for its presidential ties and grand facade, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. In the years since, the hotel’s concrete exterior has experienced deterioration and distress, leading to the loss of some of its original detailing.
In this article, engineer Ann Harrer explains WJE’s repair approach, which was developed in conformance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. The repair strategy began with a detailed condition assessment to identify key architectural features that must be preserved. From there, we developed a targeted approach to repair the facade’s deterioration while maintaining the Neoclassical and Beaux-Arts detail.
This article appeared in the March/April 2026 issue of Concrete Repair Bulletin and is posted with their permission.
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