Built on the site of the U.S. Grant, Jr. home on Ash Street, the hotel depicted on this picture postcard was the tallest building (at 310 feet) in San Diego from its opening in 1927 until 1963. The El Cortéz was designed by the firm of Albert R. Walker (1981-1958) and Percy Eisen (1885-1946), the architects responsible for the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. In 1937 the hotel changed hands, and a large illuminated sign was placed at the top of the hotel reading, "El Cortez Hotel." In 1954, the hotel's new owner opened a new addition that included the Cafe Cortez, missing in this photograph. Further, the photographer of this image, Mike Roberts, opened his print shop of photochrome postcards in 1939. This places the image between 1939 and 1954. The publisher's number on the back of the card is C1185.
