Rediscovering the Celeste’s Mediterranean Modern Roots

Built in 1969, “The Consulate” honorably performed its hotel duties for decades before it began slowly slipping and aging — eventually sliding into near decrepitude, with its history and original design covered by various well-intentioned renovations.

But as LPA designers began transforming the San Diego building into “The Celeste,” an adaptive reuse housing project, they quickly realized the building still had a distinct character quietly hidden beneath its surface.

After review and analysis of the existing conditions, study of the original construction documents, and some minor demolition, the team revealed a series of triangular archways along the facade: striking architectural features that had been completely obscured by later-era cladding. “That’s one of the exciting parts of adaptive reuse projects,” says Design Coordinator Andrea Rocha. “You’re always uncovering pieces of the past you didn’t expect.”

The arches date back to the building’s original life as the Port O’ Call Motor Hotel, designed by architectural firm Hendrick & Mock Architects. They offer a tangible link to the late mid-century era when hotels and restaurants often leaned into bold, thematic identities — a time when roadside hospitality was both functional and experiential. Buildings like the Port O’ Call were designed to evoke escapism by blending modern construction with stylistic references to faraway places.

These “Mediterranean Modern” arches reflect a hybrid approach of using mid-century materials like concrete with decorative elements inspired by Mediterranean and Moorish design.

Recognizing their significance, the team knew the arches deserved to be restored and celebrated. That process wasn’t simple. Years of concealment left them worn and inconsistent, requiring careful repair, resurfacing and refinishing. As part of the refurbishment, the team reintroduced a light color palette to highlight the forms. Now, some of the arches even function as private patios for residents.

The broader Celeste project is reflective of this revival. The six-story structure is being converted into apartment studios. Working within the constraints of the existing layout posed challenges, specifically when it came to adding kitchens, improving natural light and meeting accessibility requirements. “It’s like solving a puzzle,” Rocha explains. “You’re working backward from what already exists. But this is why I enjoy working on historic buildings, because of the unexpected discoveries, such as original tile or wallpaper, and the challenge of respecting the original architecture while merging the old with the new. It’s just so important to bring existing structures back to life instead of completely remodeling them to appear new.”

Doing so meant designing creative solutions, from adding glazing and skylights to negotiating with the city to retain original stair elements for cost and code efficiency. It also meant embracing the building as a snapshot in time and honoring its identity.

Now, the rediscovered arches are a character-defining highlight of the Point Loma community’s tallest building. By bringing them back, the design team restored a piece of architectural history, and further reinforced the value of looking closely at what already exists in a project — and celebrating it.

— Chez Chesak