Before the expansion construction even began, the property knew they wanted their brand to be ‘Cool, Coastal California,’ a theme the designers executed through simplistic, organic beauty and complex technology throughout project. This project brings a new design aesthetic with the repositioning of the existing amenity spaces and all the meeting spaces below the grand hotel’s north and south guestroom towers. Featuring a new grab ‘n’ go outlet, a lobby bar, lounge and three-meal destination restaurant, level two of the South Tower has become the heart and hub of the hotel. In San Diego, all new, private construction must devote one percentage of its budget to public art. The challenge was met through a focal light piece. With both pinned and graduated strands of more than 400,000 Swarovski crystals surrounded by laser-cut stainless-steel panels suspended from the ceiling, the statement light fixture, ‘Tidal,’ embodies the conceptual theme. The expansion has increased the meeting, indoor and outdoor event space to 280,000 sf. With the addition of the Marriott Grand Ballroom and Pacific Ballroom, two 36,000 sf ballrooms that can each accommodate up to 3,700 guests, the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina now hosts events in the largest ballroom on the West Coast. The ballroom on the first level boasts more than 19,000 sf of prefunction space, while the ballroom on the second level has nearly 27,000 sf of prefunction. By drawing inspiration from the San Diego landscape with its iconic coastline and capturing a sense of fluidity and movement throughout, the designers created an artful space that truly encapsulates ‘Cool, Coastal California.’