Shell Vacations has taken ownership of the Park Manor Suites after purchasing the property for $11.5 million. The new owners have confirmed there are no immediate changes, including its LGBT-friendly events.
“We are very excited that we purchased it. We are thrilled with the property,” said Karen Buttice, spokeswoman for Shell Vacations. She confirmed there are no immediate changes, saying it’s “business as usual.”
Park Manor hosts a Friday night happy hour that has been a staple in the LGBT social calendar for years. The hotel has also been home to many same-sex weddings and commitment ceremonies, as well as host to many fund-raising and social events. The hotel is a member of the Greater San Diego Business Association (GSDBA) and the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA).
Founded in 1963, Shell Vacations has played a prominent role in the evolution of the vacation ownership industry, according to the company’s website. It specializes in time-share vacation destinations, however, Buttice could not confirm nor deny if Park Manor Suites would transition into a time-share property.
“We are obviously looking at a variety of plans,” she said, adding that right now, “We don’t have anything on the docket.”
Shell Vacations owns several properties in several California cities, including Anaheim, Napa and three in San Francisco.
“California is a tremendously popular destination,” Buttice said. “San Diego has always been something we’ve been looking at. Obviously, it is a very popular destination.”
Park Manor Suites was built in 1925 by architect Frank P. Allen, Jr. Allen’s architecture – which not only includes the hotel, but also parts of Balboa Park and the Cabrillo Bridge – has been lauded by the San Diego Historical Society as a “consummate San Diego architect worthy of remembrance and tribute.” The six-story, 82-room hotel was named a Historic Site of San Diego in 1991.
The seller was a trust established seven years ago by the previous owner, the late Stanley Earl Willis II. More than 25 people and organizations were listed as beneficiaries of the trust, including Special Delivery, The Center and UCSD. Shell Vacations was one of 15 companies that showed an interest in purchasing the property.
You can’t imagine how thrilled we were to arrive at our hotel and find the rainbow flag! We are here under very sad circumstances and to find a flag that symbolizes love and community greeting us at the front door somehow made the whole experience easier! I belong to a reconciling Methodist Church and this flag made me feel at home!!!