Built 1829 Designated CP September 3, 1971 | Architectural style Spanish Colonial Opened 1829 | |
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Location 2660 Calhoun St. Old Town, San Diego Part of Old Town San Diego Historic District (#71000182) | ||
Casa de bandini con mariachi el ahualulco
Don Juan Bandini built his single story, thatched roof adobe between 1827-1829 on Old Town, San Diego plaza's southeast corner. The original structure had seven rooms, an entrance-way, and enclosed courtyard, a corral, and several sheds. The Casa de Juan Bandini had features of Spanish Colonial architecture usually found only in California missions. During the 1840s, he added several enhancements such as pane-glass windows, a brick-lined patio with well, and a small, bathhouse to entice his daughters to visit his wife Refugio and him more frequently.
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casa de bandini carlsbad ca solista
The Cosmopolitan Hotel and Stage Stop
In 1869, ten years after Bandini's death the property passed to Albert Seeley. Seeley a stage master, converted the old adobe into an L-shapped Greek Revival hotel. He renovated the original first story, and added a wood framed second story and balconies. Albert Seeley sold his hotel in 1888. In the decade that followed the hotel was used as a rooming house, and converted for use as an Olive packing factory.
"The Miramar"
In 1928 Don Juan Bandini's Grandson, Cave J. Couts Jr., bought the property in order to restore it as a memorial to his mother Ysidora Bandini de Couts. Couts remodeled the residence in Steamboat Revival architecture style. By 1930 the building was wired for electricity, and gas. Cave J. Couts Jr. Ranames the building as, "The Miramar," hotel and restaurant.
The Miramar is sold to the State of California
in 1945 James H. and Nora Cardwell purchased the Bandini property. During the 1950s their son Frank renovated the building into an upscale tourist motel. The Cardwells eventually sold the property to the state of California in 1968, the same year Old Town became a state historic park. The State of California and concessionaire Chef and restaurant owner Joseph Melluso came to an operating agreement. Under agreement the Hotel would receive necessary historical excavation, and restoration to the time period of The Cosmopolitan Hotel.
The Cosmopolitan Hotel
The Cosmopolitan reopened for business as a Hotel and Restaurant July 21, 2010. By August 2011 Owner Joseph Melluso had sold a majority of ownership over to Catherine Miller. In July 2013, the Cosmo was taken over by Old Town Family Hospitality Corp. Owner and President Chuck Ross, who also operates two restaurants in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park – Casa de Reyes and Barra Barra Saloon.
The Cosmopolitan and the paranormal
The Cosmopolitan Hotel was featured on Episode 56 of Ghost Adventures which aired October 7, 2011 San Diego based Daniel Scott has also been involved with paranormal investigations at The Cosmopolitan Hotel.
Residents
Painter Anni von Westrum Baldaugh lived at the Casa de Bandini for many years.