Gardena Office, Hotel Project Starts : Card Club, Stores Also Included in El Dorado Center

Construction has started on the $56-million, mixed-use El Dorado Center in Gardena, which is financed by municipal bonds, labor union pension funds and cash from the developer.

The project, encompassing a high-rise office tower, hotel, card club, restaurant and retail area, is being developed by El Dorado Center Co., whose president, George M. Anthony, is the owner of the El Dorado Club, a card club. Two Japanese firms also play pivotal roles.

The 286-room hotel will be managed by the Sunroute Hotel System of Tokyo, while Hazama-Gumi Ltd. of Tokyo and Los Angeles will serve as joint-venture general contractor along with Morley Construction of Los Angeles.

The center’s 3.65-acre site is at Redondo Beach Boulevard and Vermont Avenue.

When completed in early 1989, the center will consist of a 10-story office building containing a total of 203,000 square feet, an 18-level hotel with 286 rooms, retail shopping area, health club, pool, three restaurants, a card club and grand ballroom with a maximum seating capacity of 1,200, and underground parking.

The Los Angeles-based firm of Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum served as the project’s design and engineering consultant.

Permanent financing totaling $33 million was provided by a labor union pension fund, in addition to $11.5 million in tax-exempt municipal bonds and another $12 million from the development firm.

According to Jack Rosenberg, vice president and district manager of Grubb & Ellis Commercial Brokerage Services’ South Bay office, the project’s exclusive marketing representative, the El Dorado Center will be the first of its kind for the inland coastal region.

“The fact that this project includes an office tower and a retail area makes a statement to both local and foreign companies that the city is serious about attracting new and expanding companies.”