Laguna Niguel : 2 Hotel Subcontractors File Suits for Payment

Two subcontractors seeking to be paid for their work on the opulent Ritz-Carlton Hotel filed suit Monday against the hotel owners and general contractor.

Best Way Marble and Tile Co. Inc. said in its Orange County Superior Court action that Monarch at Laguna Beach, the limited partnership that owns the $41-million hotel; financial backer Manufacturers Hanover Trust Co. and general contractor Stolte-NME ordered various changes that more than doubled the company’s original $137,569 contract.

Best Way claimed the additional work cost $345,255 and that $88,368 remains unpaid.

In a second suit, Cowelco of Long Beach claims that Stolte and Monarch still owe $27,309 for metal stair work. It claims that a $93,022 contract was overspent by $18,672 because of modifications ordered by the owner and contractor. Cowelco also seeks $5,000 in attorney’s fees.

In November and December, five other suits were filed against Monarch, Atlanta-based proprietor of the 397-room, Mediterranean-style resort hotel atop a cliff overlooking the ocean.

One of those suits was filed by Los Angeles-based Stolte, which claimed that Monarch failed to make a $3.4-million payment Sept. 20 and that, with numerous change orders during the two-year construction causing cost overruns, the total debt is now $8,893,692.