Demolition has been put on hold at the historic La Bahia Hotel on Beach Street near the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
The teardown got under way weeks before the Covid-19 breakout, which has iced the massive project. Plans call for a new 165-room, four-star hotel, based on an application submitted by SC Hotel Partners LLC.
The Spanish Colonial La Bahia Apartments, with 44 units, were built in 1926. Restaurants, a pool, spa and meeting space and more are also in the works. The tile-covered bell tower will be restored.
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