First Phase of Le Meridien Taking Shape Across from Santa Anita Park

ByTerry Miller

Twoplus years have passed since the initial ceremonial groundbreaking of one ofArcadia’s largest hotel projects ever approved by council, Le Meridien byMarriott.

Thefive-story building on the site formerly occupied by the Santa Anita Inn wasset to open in the first quarter of 2020. Apparently, there have been some delays,but progress is shaping a new Arcadia landscape. Hopefully the public will soonget a glimpse of the architect’s imaginative combination of Art Deco elements,inspired by nearby Santa Anita Park, with Modernist features. 

Architecturefirm Architects Orange, interior design firm Linda Snyder Associates, andSnyder Langston have been tapped as the construction team to build the LeMeridien development. Plans call for a total of 223 rooms, as well as aspecialty restaurant, a ballroom, and meeting spaces. The property will providea cosmopolitan rooftop pool and bar with full food service.

Thebuilding will incorporate glass elements that glow at night, surrounded by lushgardens against the backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains.  A 24-foot long Redwood bench anchors thelobby’s 20-foot art-masterpiece glass wall, which has been hand-carved inCalifornia. “The bench is made from one of the original Redwoods, which wasgrowing on the property and was carefully removed and repurposed preserving apiece of the site’s heritage,” according to a press release.

LeMeridien will also present a full-service spa adjacent to the property and aworld class Asian-fusion dining experience in the hotel restaurant.

Thehotel will span across a 6.5-acre site. That project, including Le Meridien andmixed-used full-service condominiums and shopping, is known as One Gallup Way.

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