THINGS ARE VERY COOL AT THE LAYFAYETTE HOTEL TODAY, BUT IT WASN’T ALWAYS THAT WAY.

One of the jazzy designed vacation bungalows at North Park's Lafayette Hotel.  More bungalow images at end of post

LATEST OWNERS ADD PIZAZZ TO THE HOTEL’S HISTORIC BUNGALOWS

Back in the early 90s, the Lafayette Hotel—like all of the midcity—had seen better times.  City fathers were considering calling North Park a federally blighted area in order to get redevelopment dollars.

By the late 80s, the venerable hotel—built in the late 40s as Imig Manor—was between owners.

Imig Manor (now Lafayette Hotel) as it looked near its opening day 1946

Actually, in the late 80s and early 90s hotel ownership was well known to the feds for being involved in a huge mortgage scandal, where dozens lost millions to fraud.

But, that was the least of the Lafayette’s woes.  The hotel was in limbo while the feds sorted out whom to send to jail.  During those tough times, it was no surprise the hotel was not in good shape.

The hotel’s fortunes fell so low that one local religious organization wanted to buy the hotel and make it into hotel for the homeless.

Enough.  Business leaders along El Cajon Blvd and in North Park were not in the mood for the hotel to become a social service.  The business leaders in the area said if the hotel had proper professional management the hotel would not be in sad shape.

Business leaders and community group zealots were able to convince a reputable hotel management firm to take over the hotel.  Since then the hotel has changed hands several times and each time significant improvements were made.

Today, the community is proud of the Lafayette Hotel.  As of 2014, the Lafayette Hotel is cool and very much part of hipster North Park.  It is a shining example of how enlightened business and district three council leaders saved a historic property and found the right investors to turn it around in a positive manner.

Posted here are images of the refurbished bungalows that sit on the 2.5-acre site at 2223 El Cajon Blvd., near Texas Street.

Each of the seven bungalow has a playful personality.  Owners named each bungalow and given the units an imaginative mix of tongue-and-cheek décor, interesting textures, and thoughtful touches making you feel right at home. From the Chinoiserie to the Premiere, each Bungalow features intricately patterned wallpaper paired with edgy textiles, whimsical drapery and brightly colored walls.

For more information on the new Lafayette go to the following link:

http://www.lafayettehotelsd.com/rooms/class/the-bungalows.htm