Proposal for expanded Lido House Hotel heads to Coastal Commission
A larger version of a boutique hotel slated to replace the former Newport Beach City Hall at the entrance to the Balboa Peninsula cleared its last hurdle with the city this week but still needs California Coastal Commission approval.
The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to allow R.D. Olson Development to expand Lido House Hotel’s lobby, management office, spa and restaurant and retail area. The plan would increase the project’s footprint by 4,745 square feet, to 103,470 square feet, at 3300 Newport Blvd.
“I’m thrilled to let this project move forward,” Mayor Diane Dixon said.
R.D. Olson also received permission to enlarge two guestrooms on the second floor into suites and to decrease the size of the ballroom space by 925 square feet.
During the project’s final design phase, R.D. Olson determined that it needed additional floor space.
Lido House Hotel, to be operated by Marriott, will be “a four-diamond destination resort that complements the distinguished culture and environment of the city of Newport Beach,” Tony Wrzosek, vice president of planning and development at R.D. Olson, said during a Planning Commission meeting in June. “The proposed plan is primarily intended to create back-of-house areas that would support and complement this four-diamond experience.”
But the city’s general plan, coastal land-use plan and zoning code – documents that help guide development in Newport Beach – limit the total floor area for the site to 98,725 square feet, which prompted the developer to return to the city to request an increase.
The City Council and the Coastal Commission have approved plans for a four-story, 98,725-square-foot Lido House with 130 guestrooms, meeting and retail space, a spa, restaurants, a pool and recreation area and a rooftop bar. Ground was broken on the project last month.
The revised plan would not change the number of guestrooms.
The proposal is expected to go before the Coastal Commission by the end of the year. The process is not expected to delay the project, which is planned for completion by summer 2017.
Room rates are expected to average $212 per night, according to R.D. Olson.
